I think I saw a guy who's been breaking into cars near my office. I was walking to lunch and there was a man standing outside the restaurant where I was headed, leaning against the wall. He was dressed in dark clothes and wearing a backpack. More significantly, he was holding a huge chunk of asphalt in his hand that would make a very handy window-shattering tool.
I noted all this as I walked by, although I tried not to look too intently because that asphalt chunk would also be handy for braining someone. I had a fleeting thought that I could call the police. But what would I tell them? They already know that car break-ins are rampant in the area. When we had the rash of them in the garage next to my office the day my car stereo was stolen, several people saw the thief and were able to describe him to the police.
Of course the police know that this guy (assuming he's the only one, which may or may not be the case) is in the area and continuing his ill deeds. I figure they're either stepping up their patrols or they're not. Probably not, considering that I recently read in the police chief's blog that their goal is to limit homicides in the city to 80 this year, which indicates that they have much bigger concerns.
So we crossed the street in opposite directions, me to get a slice of pizza and he to do whatever it was he was going to do with a giant, jagged hunk of asphalt.
Should I have gone ahead and called the police or would it have been a waste of everyone's time? Was I too cynical or just realistic?
Photo credit: Paula Bailey
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