Fighting Crime

Last night, I checked number 5 off my 30 Before 30 list: go on a police ride-along. A Davis police officer and I cruised our beat from seven in the evening until almost one in the morning, fighting crime.

Except, to be honest, there was very little crime fighting going on (we do live in Davis, after all, where the personal crime risk is less than half the national average, plus it was a Tuesday night). We pulled some folks over for bad driving, attended to some noise violations, talked to some suspicious-looking people.

Best of all, we recovered a stolen bike!

Here's my report:

Responded to a call at Ben and Jerry's* at 21:00. The reporting party says that he has located his stolen bicycle, but wants police back-up since the suspect is nearby. The suspect is, in fact, enjoying a beer on a bench; the bike is parked nearby.

We approach the suspect.

Officer: Hi, can I ask you a few questions?
Suspect: Sure.
Me: (I don't say anything, just stand nearby)
Officer: Is this your bike?
Suspect: Yes.
Officer: Where did you get it?
Suspect: Um, I bought it.
Officer: Who did you buy it from?
Suspect: Robbie.
Officer: How much did you pay for it?
Suspect: $30.
Officer: Okay, you see, this gentleman says the bike is his...

At this point the reporting party (RP) jumps in.

RP: I know it's mine because of the scratches and the bike light...
Suspect: It's cool, you can take it back.
RP: Huh? Really?
Suspect: Yeah. I figured it was stolen.
RP: Ummm...okay.
Suspect: Bike for $30 is too good to be true.

And then it gets even weirder. By this point the officer and I are basically bystanders as the reporting party and suspect carry on their conversation.

RP: Well, let me pay you $30 for it.
Suspect: Oh no. It's totally cool.
RP: No, I insist!
Suspect: No, I insist!
RP: I don't want you to be out a bike!
Suspect: No, it's no problem.
RP: Please, let me pay you your $30!
Suspect: No, it's really fine.
RP: How will you get home?
Suspect: Oh, I can walk. It's not far.
RP: But then you are out a bike.
Suspect: I have another at home.
RP: Are you sure?
Suspect: Absolutely! It is your bike after all.
RP: Well, thanks. I'm Dan, by the way.
Suspect: I'm Joe. Nice to meet you!
RP: So nice to meet you, too. Thanks again!
Suspect: No problem!

I knew Davis was one of the friendliest cities in America, but dudes, wtf?

* All names and locations have been changed to protect the innocent (and also so that I stay out of trouble with the PD).

Comments

[lucklys]

haha, that's ridiculous! why can't everywhere be like that?! sounds like a fun night :)

[Ashley]

that's so funny!! if that had gone down where i live, oh there would have been a knife fight at least. I think we all need to take notes from this person...

[Erin]

I love it

[Janet]

That is hilarious. I think it's just proof that Ben & Jerry's makes anyone happy. :) Oh wait, I just saw you changed the location. Well, I guess people *are* just happier in Davis! ;)

[Korinna]

Well, that seemed right out of Pleasantville.

[Gwen]

Oh wow... Davis sounds like the anti-Philadelphia. I'm so jealous!

[janet]

I would be too scared to do a ride-along in my own neighborhood, but it might be a good experience. Yours is too funny!

[wilda wallace]

Janet you always make my day. This was the best. You rock girl.

[Jen]

Perhaps it was the presence of a lady that made them so polite. You do have that Audrey Hepburn in the room thing about you.

[shannon]

OMG you live in Bizarro world. It sounds so nice!

[statia]

I agree with Gwen's statement. Especially the Kensington section. Someone would have died.

[Zandria]

That is completely and utterly awesome! Completely different from the ride-along I did in '07 with my then-bf, but it shows the difference in the places where we live, I guess. :)