Joker Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 We live on a quiet cul-de-sac and the kids on the street often ride bikes or scooters. There is a sidewalk on one side which ends (at the policeman's house) and goes into the cul-de-sac. My dds usually ride on the sidewalk and then go round the cul-de-sac and then repeat. There is a policeman on our street who is a scary driver. I've told the girls to try their best to stay far away from him when they see him in his car. (Of course, then they ask why the policeman is such a bad driver:glare:) He zooms around and I don't think he ever looks. A few months ago he was halfway down the street, stopped, put the car in reverse and shot back to his house. My older dd barely made it out of his way. Today he almost got younger dd. She saw him go to his car and so she stopped on the side of the cul-de-sac away from his house. He backed out and just kept reversing into the cul-de-sac and dd had to scurry. Then he zoomed down the street. There is very little traffic and everyone else on our street are careful drivers and they slow down even though most of the kids are on the sidewalk. I don't want to make an enemy of the policeman but I'm worried someone's going to get hurt. What can I do that won't make things bad for us? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I say anonymous note to start. After that I would simply call the police. What kind of police officer is he? Around here the locals hate the State cops so that would be beneficial for you. He is subject to the same laws. Have it on tape and take it straight to the magistrate. They can issue a ticket on a tape around here. I have a jerk neighbor who loves to blow the stop sign at the end of the street and I have him on tape doing it. After he realized that he magically found the brake pedal!:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Call the cops. If they won't do anything, make an appointment with the chief. If afterwords you feel harassed, call the sheriff's office or the state police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 You need to start documenting it. Write down the dates and a description of the two times he almost hit your daughters. If you can, have your DH talk to him (also document it). If he does hit someone, it will be a cops word against a kids (maybe a dead kids). So you need to make sure you have information in case anything happens or in case you need it to talk to the police department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fhjmom Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I feel your pain! Even though the front of our police station is on a main thorough fare, the back lot entrance is into a neighborhood - mine! We live a block down on the same street the lot is on and the worst offenders of speeding through the neighborhood is the police in their patrol cars. :001_huh: My kids play out front a lot. I have taken to waving at the police and telling my kids to do the same, just a friendly reminder of "Hi, we play here!" Not all of them do it but there have been several times I have been tempted to call and complain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted October 21, 2010 Author Share Posted October 21, 2010 Thanks, everyone! I never thought about taping him but I'll work on how to get that done now. My dh does want to talk to him but I've talked him out of it so far. I may also try a note and see what happens. Any other suggestions are welcome too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I agree with video-taping and then take a copy to the police chief with your complaint. Keep a copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Thanks, everyone! I never thought about taping him but I'll work on how to get that done now. My dh does want to talk to him but I've talked him out of it so far. I may also try a note and see what happens. Any other suggestions are welcome too! I think your dh is right. Let him handle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I feel your pain as we have an officer in my neighborhood who drives recklessly also. I agree with videotaping him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne in MN Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I don't see anything wrong with talking to the officer about it either. Being he's a cop and should know better, I don't know as I would have any great expectations of change, but I think it would be a place to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Video camera. A lot of times cops tend to side with their own. They can't argue video evidence. Rodney King Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 My adult child's next door apartment neighbor is a city police officer who has loud fights with his spouse or girlfriend. He is on end townhouse, which is why I assume the cops have not been called on the cop. He is an all around angry guy, so my child avoids him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bairnmama Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Some cops just don't follow the rules simply because they don't feel like it. My cousin used to be a cop. He would drive 65 mph down city streets whenever he had a ride-along just because he could get away with it. He would also flip on his lights and sirens to get through a red light he felt was taking too long. Needless to say... he's not a cop anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I don't see anything wrong with talking to the officer about it either. Being he's a cop and should know better, I don't know as I would have any great expectations of change, but I think it would be a place to start. I don't see anything wrong with talking to him either, unless past experience (yours or other neighbors') already show he's unreasonable when approached. I'd let my dh talk to the guy. A friendly conversation, "I know you probably didn't see them, but my little girls were pretty scared the other day. They thought you might run them over. Think you could slow down and watch for them? I think they'd feel safer. Thanks, neighbor," is certainly appropriate. Just as it would be with a neighbor who is a plumber or a doctor or an accountant. If he is a jerk or doesn't change his ways, the videotaping and calling the police are good ideas. But sometimes the simplest and most direct solution is best. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Do you have a neighborly relationship with him otherwise? If so, can you approach him with something along the lines of, "Joe, I'm teaching my kids about street safety and safe driving...and er...you're kind of killing my teachings with the example you've been setting lately on the street. Everything alright?" Yeah, I'd imply that it is a recent problem, even if it isn't, because it gives him some wiggle room to come up with an excuse. In this instance, you aren't trying to be right, you are trying to get some behavior changed, and he may need time and space to come to a place where he's willing to change. Hence, the wiggle room. Good luck! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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