So, I got side swiped yesterday. Shit happens, no worries. Pulled over with the other driver, young dude, gets out. We chat for a minute. I ask if this is his car, he says its his auntie’s car. He’s already looking worried about the implications.

I ask him for the insurance info. He goes back to the car to get it. Hopes in and bones out in a screech of tires. I just shake my head, cuz often young people are just kinda dumb and young, and I got your license plate my dude. Anyway I’m disappointed to say the least.

I survey my car, its just cosmetic damage and I am physically fine, so I consider myself fortunate. Here is the most frustrating part. I call up the 4th precinct, cuz that’s where we ended up pulling over.

I talk to the officer who answers the general phone line and I explain exactly what just happened. Ask him if I can file a report by phone or need to come in, for insurance purposes. He advises me to call 911 and stay where I am.

I say “Wait, I’m not hurt and my car is operable, this is not nearly an emergency, you want me to call 911 to get a report?” He says, where did it happen again? I tell him the accident happened right before the offramp on Washington, we pulled over on Washington.

He says it happened on I94 that would be a state patrol matter. I say can he get me the number? He says, I guess I can google it. I’m like oh for real? Am I the first person you’ve had to hand off to the state law enforcement for traffic issue?

I’m perplexed and really just frustrated by the low level ask that cannot be accommodated, just wanted a report for insurance purposes. Don’t need yall to go out and find the dude. Don’t need any heroics, just need some paperwork.

I ask him is there anyone else to handle these non-emergency matters? He tells me to talk to
the state patrol. He gets me the West Metro State #. I call there, they are not open on weekends. The recording hangs up on me. The end.

The story is not about my hardship, I don't have any from this. It is about a poorly designed system that we have people actively trying to keep in place out of fear of the unknown, fear that we can not design something better even though we know this shit is bloody awful.