Waiting for the Police to Arrive

@cynthiann (18602)

Jamaica

March 30, 2013 9:49am CST

Just before twelve last night I had just finished watching an old movie on my laptop - The Al Jolson Story - if anyone is interested in knowing which one. I heard a noise but rationalised it as the awnings in my dining room banging against the wall as it was very windy out side. I was alone in the house. I got up and moved to the kitchen to get water for the night and did not turn on any lights whilst doing so. I then heard an almighty crash and switched on the outside lights and saw a man on my patio and he had knocked over a glass table. I then switched on all the outside lights but he moved swiftly from my garden. I phoned the son who was fast asleep in the city and did not wake up.I thought of calling the police but the guy had already gone. So I sent a text the son and then went back to bed but regretfully not to sleep. I wasn't scared a such just annoyed as this is the second glas top table that has been stolen plus gardening tools. Early this morning the son woke me up to hear the story. Another annoyance as I needed to sleep more.

Then I checked his bathroom and saw that clothes that I had hung on the bathroom rail on clothes hangers overnight were in the bath tub. So the thief was a stick thief who would try to hook clothes or a bag - anything really - from a room and draw the stolen items through the grills and windows. I do not think that I was specifically targetted as one of my neighbours had a rake stolen. But now my day is pear shaped. I have shopping to do and an apartment to check, a funeral at 12 pm and I had been invited to dinner later today. And what am I doing? Waiting for the police.I know that it had to be reported and they should come quickly but I am dithering on whether to get a shower or will they come whilst I am in the shower? I cannot do anything planned on my list until they come and the time it is a passing.

My day spoiled because of a petty thief. How is your day going?

9 people like this

17 responses

@ANTIQUELADY (36440)

• United States

2 Apr 13

Sorry u had the trouble. Bless your heart it just doesn't let up for u. I worry about u , seems to be alot of trouble your way. Have no use for a thief. I figure they are just too lazy to get out & get a job. I hope u don't have any more trouble. Please be careful.

2 people like this

@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

5 Apr 13

Sorry, I am late in responding. I have not received emauls in nearly 18 months so have to go back to each discussion to see if anyone responded. So time consuming but mylot won't deal with the problem

No, it doesn't let up but one day it will

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@carmelanirel (20942)

• United States

31 Mar 13

How scary Cynthiann, but I have to admit, I felt like I was reading one of my suspense novels, especially when you decided to text your son instead of calling the police last night. I mean I know the guy was already gone, but wouldn't calling the police right away cause the possibility that the culprit to be caught? So what did the police say? Any chance of finding the guy?

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waiting for the police

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@carmelanirel (20942)

• United States

31 Mar 13

Well I am glad you are okay, that had to be scary...

and maybe if the guy tries it again, he will be caught.

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

31 Mar 13

The police would not have reached for about 30 minutes and he was long gone into the bush with no hope of capture. They will increase patrols for a while but it is petty crime and it was reported really as a statistic for the police. I had no description so it is unlikely that he will be caught but I have been talking to neighbourse neighbourhood watch

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

31 Mar 13

We are thinking of putting a few security cameras in but it is expensive and a long term solution

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@MsTickle (25180)

• Australia

4 Apr 13

I would have lay in bed with the adrenalin pumping and barely breathing or moving. On the other hand, I have two dogs who would have alerted me to the fact that someone was there and I too may have been brave enough to switch on the outside lights. This also reinforces my idea to have some security lights installed that respond to movement. Too bad if the cat sets it off. As for waiting for the police, I truly feel your chagrin, or is it animosity? I hate waiting for anyone. My day has been OK, I was able to sleep in for half an hour till 6:30am before getting up to feed the animals. I had coffee and breakfast the went for a walk to the post office taking several detours to make it a longer walk. There was no mail and I'm urgently awaiting my passport. I came home, vacuumed the entry hall after removing all the bits and pieces in there and then oiled the floor. I've watered the garden, had morning tea and I'm about to clean some windows. If I feel so inclined I may continue with a craft project I'm wanting to complete before I start on sewing up the new living room curtains. Ain't life grand?

I hope all is well with you my friend.

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@MsTickle (25180)

• Australia

6 Apr 13

I used O'Cedar Polish...a few teaspoons in warm water then used a mop to apply it. It's polish for looking after wood and I didn't want the floors to be slippery but I did want them cleaned with something other than soapy water. It did the trick but the floors are fifty years old this year and don't seem to have been looked after at all. They are not sealed with anything but they are shiny in the parts that are low traffic areas. I use the same polish full strength on a soft cloth for dusting, cleaning and nourishing my other wooden furniture.

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

13 Apr 13

Thank you so much for this information. It is good to learn things like this

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

5 Apr 13

All is well with me. No animosity towards the police really as they are understaffed and there just bdid not seem to be any point. I am intrigued by your comment that younoiled the floor. What does this mean? Is it some kind of polish that you apply?

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@katsmeow1213 (28717)

• United States

30 Mar 13

That's terrible! I hope the police can catch this guy.. how scary for you!

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

30 Mar 13

Actually, I am calm in an emergency - it is later that I go to pieces

I do not think that they would catch him unless they set up a vigil for weeks and the police force does not have the manpower to do that. The son could request this and it would be done but that is not fair when they should be available for more serious crimes etc. No one can get into the house as it is perfectly secure. Just a petty theif. Well I have bathed - but still waiting for the police

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@katsmeow1213 (28717)

• United States

30 Mar 13

Geez.. glad it's not a true emergency!

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@dorannmwin (36392)

• United States

9 Apr 13

My day today has been something that has actually been a pretty good day. I mean I've not been out of the house all day but after all of the running that I was doing in the late part of last week and during the early part of the weekend, that is something that has been a welcome relief to me. However, about a week and a half ago, my PayPal debit card was somehow used in Brazil and that is something that has really been a pain in the butt for me to deal with. Why do people think it is necessary to steal from others?

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

9 Apr 13

I am so sorry about your paypal debit card. It is horrible when something like this happens - so intrusive and as you say - a real pain to deal wqith. People have always stolen from others and I guess they always will

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@911Ricki (13588)

• Canada

12 Apr 13

If I was home by myself I would not be as calm as you. I would be calling the police immediately. I guess here, this type of things don't happen, and usually end in violence.

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

13 Apr 13

We live in a counry area and the police would have to come quite a little way and they are understaffed. if it were serious then I would call them though

@danishcanadian (28953)

• Canada

12 Apr 13

Ah, The Al Jolson Story. One of my all-time favourites!!!!!! I am very lucky in that I live right behind the police station. If I stuck my head out te window and yelled "Hey Joe, get your butt down here!" they'd probably come, just to see what the ruccus was about. hahaha This apartment is a bit of a crap hole, but I wouldn't trade the location for ANYTHING!!!!! A shame your day was spoiled.

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@danishcanadian (28953)

• Canada

13 Apr 13

Have you seen the sequel, Jolson sings again? I'm a bit of a Jolson expert (big fan!) and did some reading up on the movies. While it's true that Al was a little old to play his young self, he wanted to be in the first movie atleast, one way or another. Remember the scene where they're watching "Jolson" perfom "Swannee" on the runway through the audience? That's not Larry Parks, but it's actually Jolson. In order to fool the audience, they didn't do any close-ups. Also with all that makeup on, who's going to know the difference?

@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

13 Apr 13

Yes, I loved the Al Jolson story. Definitely worth re watching. I'm glad that you live so close to the police station - what a convenience

I have gotten over it now. It is now unimportant - doesn't affect the price of bananas

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@Hatley (163781)

• Garden Grove, California

30 Mar 13

hi cynthiann oh my a that is scary and now the police will not probably catch the thief.So he tried to steal clothes from outside your apartment,. I do hope the police have some idea of who he might be. I also hope this does not happen again.My day is

okay but boring here.my roomie is sleeping as usual and in a way am glad as if she's awake she will just talk and talk and talk to me endlessly about nothing and I will mess up my mylotting as I cannot talk with her and type well at the same time...

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

30 Mar 13

Well, you certainly typed this well Hatley. I doubt if the police can really do anything except more patrols

@dawnald (85135)

• Shingle Springs, California

30 Mar 13

Good morning. I am about to wake the girls up, and we are going to San Francisco to the Disney museum. Didn't sleep much, hope I can sleep in the car. Stupid thieves... Today's bit of trivia - Al Jolson is buried in the same cemetary as my dad's parents.

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

30 Mar 13

Well isn't that a coincidence? He did his best to help integration from 1910. He employed black people in the theatre and evidently was so admired and respected by black people that he was the only white allowed in their jazz clubs. The blackface was done in minstrel shows but to him - hiding behind the mask - enabled him to be who he wanted to be. Very interesting person and a good man. Enjoy the Disney Museum. Am going out to dinner tonight

@artemeis (4194)

• China

1 Apr 13

First of all, I am relief to hear that you are unscathed or harmed during the burglary. This is rather scary and I think you should consider changing your locks for a better ones and have stronger secured grills for the windows around the house. Additionally, your bedroom should be fortified from another such unwanted access and install a panic alarm in your bedroom that is linked to the police station or private security company that runs patrols and calls the police in emergencies. I can understand what you are going through with the police indifferent attitude which is pretty common around the world. I am sure it is not even near what you see on those law enforcement serials in the cables. Forensic investigators are few and almost rare lest yours is the only crime and a major one, don't expect the sirens and urgency. Were you struggling to decide whether to touch the "crime scene" your house and the things inside? I know, I would where I could accidentally remove the criminal's fingerprints. I learned that you could get better attention if you make a call to the local newspapers and television news station to your house. These are the law enforcement's motivation. Sad but true.

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

1 Apr 13

Our police force is understaffed and this would not be considered important. I would not call the newspaers etc as worse is taking place and we would not want adverse publicity for my son. He has reported ikt and the police will take some action but they cannot be guarding my house alone - that again would be adverse publicity. I think the answer should be security cameras abut we cannot afford them just yet

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@SomeCowgirl (32191)

• United States

30 Mar 13

I am glad you are safe! Atleast the thief did not enter the home as you say they somehow got it from without, but wow. I think I wouldn't have been able to sleep either and perhaps I'd have went ahead and called the police. I hate that your day has gone awry because of it.

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

30 Mar 13

It is okay my friend. Police have come and gone - not much they can do anyway. Happy Easter

@celticeagle (159002)

• Boise, Idaho

30 Mar 13

I am having an average day. My GS has been nice and helped do some things. I am always so relieved and thankful when that little guy is acting nice cause he can fly way off the handle pretty quickly. So I am thankful. I am glad you decided to call the police. They can't do their jobs without us letting them know when there is a theft or something. I think it is our responsibility to call and report such happenings. Hope you made it to the places you needed to on time.

fly off the handle

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@celticeagle (159002)

• Boise, Idaho

31 Mar 13

Yes, he was really good while with me up here. Hope he was for his mom downstairs. I have been up here downloading pictures to Facebook. I found some cool treehouses and old eery castle pictures and put them in with my Victorian houses. I am a Victorian deco fanatic and have a album of ones I have found here and there over on FB. Sorry to hear about your outage but glad its over. We had one here back toward the end of the Summer and it lasted for ages. I think they must have lost a transformer or something.

@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

1 Apr 13

Yes, ours was due to a transformer blowing up. You would love my sister's huse in London. It is a small house but on three floors built in the 1840's. really beautiful with an old kitchen range and fireplace still in it. She has kept its integrity with decorating it too with antique but comfortable furniture. The amazing thing was that when she moved in she had to have it re-roofed and guess what the insulation material in the roof was? It was STRAW - yes straw. It s modernised with central heating etc but is very appealing. I just love it. Even her garden is full of old fashioned flowers. I am on FB but honstly do not see the fascination in it. I;m there but rarely visit

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

31 Mar 13

I am so happy that you are having a good time with your Gs and that he is calm. The police came but then we had a massive power outage that covered most of the Island Just got power back

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@bounce58 (17387)

• Canada

8 Apr 13

Sorry you had to go through that ordeal. I remember when I was young, and our family lived in a place where it wasn't uncommon to hear or see thieves at night. It must have been such an inconvenience too! Not only were you 'victimized' by this thief, now you had to deal with police also. You should get those motion-sensor lights! The ones that open when it detects movement outside. It's not full-protection, but could be a deterrent.

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

13 Apr 13

Thanks Bounce - I had just had two installed so this will help a little. I can't abide a thief. I really can't.

anujkumarkumar1

@anujkumarkumar1 (721)

•

30 Mar 13

Really bad! hope police would catch the theif and everything would be ok.

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@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

30 Mar 13

Thank you - I hope so too

@GardenGerty (157552)

• United States

30 Mar 13

I am glad the police finally came and you are getting on with your day. So when they knocked over your table it did not break so they stole it? I hope you can figure a more secure way to have it.

@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

31 Mar 13

My table top was glass so it was broken. I am going to have to discuss everything with the children. I just hate thieves.

@lilybug (21107)

• United States

30 Mar 13

I got up to go to work at 4:30 this morning and I just got home a little bit ago. It is approaching inventory and they are moving around a lot of stuff in the store, so I really worked hard today. I am so tired, but I promised my son I would take him to get some new headphones when I got home. We are just going straight back to the store I JUST left. He better hurry up and get done with his shower or I will be asleep by the time he is done. I am glad that it was just a petty thief and nothing more, but still....

@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

31 Mar 13

Oh what a hard day you had. I am so sorry and there I was complaining about a petty thief. Get some restmy friend

@Laurenlynn (715)

• Canada

30 Mar 13

Hi you are so brave, I feel bad that your day has been messed up there is nothing worse than waiting on the police I remember when my car was stolen I had to wait all day for them to arrive I had even had to miss picking up a certificate I was receiving for a course I had taken. I hope your day gets better and I hope the thief stays away if they cannot find him, I am not sure if you have a Dog it might be something to think about maybe?

@cynthiann (18602)

• Jamaica

31 Mar 13

I am sorry that you missed picking up your certificate. I did not wait too long really but then a transformer blew up so most of the Island was without power all day. Just got back power within the past hour