Major Response/Minor Crimes
Just in the past couple of weeks, I’ve seen a lot of law enforcement response to seemingly minor vehicular crimes.
Approaching the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard in San Vicente in West Hollywood, I saw major LA County Sheriff’s Department squad car activity and one officer suddenly closed down Santa Monica in one direction. Kind of scary, and half expecting to hear gunshots break out at any moment, I quickly made a detour.
After parking on a nearby side street, I approached my destination on foot and saw the officers searching a parked car. The trunk looked like it was girls stuff– workout gear, etc.
Once inside I found out that it was simply a stolen car that had been reported. Hmmm. Why would so many officers respond– about, literally, 10 squad cars? On the other hand, if my car was stolen, I would want some heavy-duty response as well. Still, it seemed very strange.
A couple days later, I was walking out of a Whole Foods in Santa Monica. The parking lot was suddenly filled with SMPD officers, about six squad cars. One of them was blocking my vehicle. So I asked what was going on. Apparently, someone’s car had been hit in the parking lot– a hit-and-run with minor damage. Again, why the heavy police response? Don’t these officers have anything better to do?
I think the answer is, if you live in a rich, white neighborhood, you get the police response—and more– that your taxes pay for. If you happen to live in a more marginal area, maybe not so much. And in hotbed areas of crime like South Central, I seriously doubt you would get nearly the level of police response to reports of a stolen car or a minor parking lot fender bender—if you get any at all.
