Waiting For the Police, Part II

[icnmgrjill]

All is well though I am, at the moment, now working behind closed and firmly locked doors. It took the police three hours to get here yesterday but when they did... they were VERY CONCERNED about what happened. They thought that the way he behaved was very suspicious. Great police officer... turned out to be the brother of a friend from my HS. So, he was very compassionate. But, he also filled us in on what's been happening recently.

Apparently, we have a couple of meth heads who have been going up and down our highway breaking into offices for things that they can sell on the street, quick, for drugs. We determined that the first incidence a month ago was a well known offender. This new guy was apparently from Fremont, which is a 90-100 minute drive south. So, he came up from a long distance away to do whatever it was he was trying to do.

I received a compliments on how I handled the situation. Being strong, firm and, if needed, loud was the best way to handle it because it showed that I was going to be tough to mess with. So, thank god that that just happened on the spot. We can thank the FBI self-defense class I took back in, gods, 1984, for that. Amazing what the body remembers when the mind is in shock.

I am definitely shaken... as it brought back alot of bad memories from my federal job and it also proved to me that my office isn't as secure as I thought it was. After college, I worked in the Marin County Social Security office where we had alot of San Quentin ex-cons come into the office to file for SSI. Very violent bunch and atleast once a month, the FBI officers had to come up to our office to bring someone down to the ground for making threats. Then, one day, I had someone attack me at my desk. Luckily, I got away and we were able to get that person under control. We all went through a mandatory FBI self defense class. Unfortunately, though, one of my colleagues was then murdered. So.... let's just say that it was a hell of an experience for a 24 year old which is why I left and went to grad school. I had some PTSD after that... that's for sure.

I'll need to take a pepper spray class, at a minimum. I've also got a few things on my desk that I can throw if need be. I'll also put the police on speed dial if needed.

Thanks for everyones good wishes. I'm safe and will try to be very smart here when I'm working alone. :::sigh:::

Jill

[ICNDonna]

It's a relief to know you are working behind a locked door.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[green_the_fish]

Jill :grouphug:

Seems like that guy might be just the type I suspected: an addict desperate for drug money. That's actually pretty sad.

It's great to know that you have thought of those safety precautions. I would never have thought of a pepper spray class; I didn't even know they existed! That would probably be a good self-defense strategy.

I hope the rest of your week will be less stressul!

[Sarojini]

:grouphug: :grouphug:

I'm glad you're okay and you're behind the locks.... I hope they get the people that are doing this; it's horrible!

[traceann]

I too am glad you are behind locked doors and at least the police are aware and could kind of give you some insight, and heads up so-to-speak. Good thing you are being uber careful!!!!!!

Hugs!
Tracey

[mom2kk2006]

Glad to hear you are fine and safe.

[stacey79]

I'm also glad to hear that you are fine and keeping yourself safe. I'm also glad you had some compassionate police officers to help you. That's a blessing! I'm also glad that they took you seriously. It sounds like this guy is up to no good and they recognize that. Sending some more hugs, thoughts and prayers your way! :grouphug: :kissing: :grouphug: :kissing: :grouphug:

[Lisa_S]

Jill, I'm very glad that you are okay and that you handled the situation so well. I grew up in Sebastopol and went to high school in Santa Rosa, so I am very familiar with it. My parents still live in Sebastopol, so this kind of thing hits very close to home for me. It is so scary to think that something like this can happen so easily when you think you are safe. It is a great reminder to us all to be very careful and smart about safety. :grouphug: Stay safe!

[MakinIT]

Yes...I have some nifty "relatives" in law who, after sheltering and feeding for about a year, broke into our garage (about 2 years later when they were tweaking...we live where Meth was born so we have all the lingo down) and stole 2 Trek mountain bikes (I mountain biked before I got so ill), My younger daughter's Razer, older daughter's street bike that wasn't cheap. I think it bought them enough for a week and half. Sad thing was, they had 3 little ones and we would buy things for them (shoes, clothes, toys...etc..) and they would take them back for cash. So we started taking all tags off (including the shirt tags, inside the collar) and wrapping shoes and toys outside of the box they came in..(we'd rewrap in new boxes). The kids never had anything to eat so I was always taking food boxes over, despite my anger at the parents. But at their "Low" (3 days of sleeping after being high) they wouldn't feed the kids, so I'd bring over homemade Mac/cheese , ready made Hamburger patties they could just reheat, casseroles. The oldest could handle fixing that stuff. Plus breakfast cereals and poptarts and fruit. Their mom (my husbands 1/2 sister) died 2 1/2 years ago from lung cancer. Now they've disappeared except when they need money or when the dad wants to go on a meth binge and drop the 6 year old and 11 year old off with me. SORRY. He's done that before saying he'd be back in an hour, and returns in 3 days.

Anyway, glad you are okay and knew what to do. So sad this epidemic has spread. It is a sign of the lack of hope amongst the people in our country, specially the poorest, but we see middle class out here (adults, not just teens) using the stuff. Makes me very sad. Take care and stay safe

[sleepyangel30]

i'am glad u are ok god was with u..

[emilyrose197377]

I am glad you are ok.

[mayray518]

Jill, good for you for handling the situation so well. I grew up and live in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and although it is a beautiful town with a lot to offer, the crime in certain areas is very bad. There are many crimes drug related going on around here so I can understand how scary it can be. I pray it never happens to me as I dont know if I would be able to keep my head in that situation.

[SusieQ045]

you handled the situation very well. i dont know how i would react under that kind of stress. but hopefully with the report you filed they will find the person that barged in. good luck

[redfearn]

Jill--

Great job!!! Let me tell you a funny story....My husband used to be a narcotics officer (I made him get out of doing this b/c someone pulled a gun on me b/c they recognized our car and I had my 8 month old baby with me!!
Anyway, I did get a new car THAT DAY!!)

OK--here's the story...I was in the ER w/ severe stomach pain which turned out to be appendicitis...there were 2 beds in the room...I get stuck with a man who wrapped his arm up in a sling and told the Dr. that his orthopedic Dr. told him to come to the ER since it was a Saturday and that when he saw this orthopedic Dr. the day before, he told him he would try Motrin, tylenol even though his Dr. asked him if needed pain meds. The Dr. said OK, I will write you a prescription for 4 Vicodins to get you through the weekend and then you'll have to go back to your ortho. Dr.'s on Monday. When the Dr. left the room, he got on the phone...I pretended to be asleep and even occassionally faked a snore or two b/c I knew he was fake. He called some guy and said "It worked!! You will be so happy b/c I got 4 of them..we are really going to get f***ed up now!! He told the guy he had to go b/c there was another patient in the room.

The nurse came to check on me and even wanted me to get up to use the restroom. Well, I grabbed the nurse and told her exactly what this guy did...so she got his Dr. and they got a statement from me...they got security and arrested him--So I guess his party was no longer. I'm just glad that I got someone who abuses the system and causes the ones in pain to not get the medicine they so deserve. My husband got a little mad and said I could have gotten hurt...but I didn't. Just thought I'd share.

Laura Redfearn

[willoweyes]

I am so glad you are okay. I used to work as a paralegal in domestic law. Had a big time bad stalker. Showed up at my home, threatening, drove me off the road, etc. Finally, an older police officer told me to get a gun. I couldn't believe it but he said, "We can get you out of jail, but we can't get you out of a grave." Well, I did carry a gun for a while but decided to change fields of law. Glad I did so. Now I have a great dog (Percy). He is a deaf service dog but he alerts to people who are under the influence and carrying weapons. I love my dog a heck of a lot more than I loved carrying a gun!!! Plus, he always knows when I'm about to have an IC flare.

[icnmgrjill]

Red & Willow,

Love how you both resolved your stories. Red.. awesome! I'm glad I'm not the only one who really does try to report suspicious behavior. I'm glad you toasted him! Willow.. what a great idea! Thanks!

Jill