Ask a Cop? Stolen Property
From: Felicia
A month ago my apartment was broken into and my ps3, xbox 360 and all the games were stolen. I recently walked past my neighbors window and saw all of my stolen things. What can I do?
Our Reply:
If it was an easily identifiable item than could be seen through a window (like a dog, purple laptop, unique purse etc) you'd have better luck having the police check on it. But all PS3's, xbox 360's and games are identical so it how do you know they are yours? If you had distinguishing marks on the xbox and other items such as initials or drivers license #' engraved on the game, or knowing the serial numbers, then you might be able to persuade an officer to ask your neighbor about the items. If you saw the exact items that were stolen, same games, same color PS3, and a police report was filed on the burglary, then a cop might contact the neighbor to see if they could check for the serial number or identifying information and to ask where they got the items. Without identifying information, there's nothing to confirm it is your property and your probably out of luck. Without identifying information, most cops wont even bother to get involved. There would be no way to determine whose property it really is and it would just be your word against the neighbors.
Another reminder why people should engrave their initials, names, drivers license number, any kind of identifying information onto their property. You can do it with an engraver, screwdriver, knife, just about anything with a point. Also with the technology today and everyone having cell phones with video and cameras, you can take videos or photos of the property including the serial numbers, that way you have proof it is yours.
Ask a Cop? Domestic Violence
From: Withheld
Friend of mine has a history if domestic violence with her husband of 4 yrs. She has 3 children and he has been arrested twice for domestic violence against her. He attended domestic violence classes and parenting and she dropped charges because she noticed significant change within him and she is a committed christian. Recently he struck her in the face and made her bleed for the first time. She wants him to leave the home but he refuses ad begs to stay because he admits he needs mental help and doesn't want to lose his wife and three kids...............
Our Reply:
Bottom line is "arrested twice and he recently struck her in the face making her bleed". Domestic violence only gets worse. As long as she tries to protect him it will get worse. She can try to get a restraining order against him based on the prior domestic violence and her fear of current escalating domestic violence. With a restraining order the police would make him leave and he will be arrested for returning or contacting her in any way. The police cant just make him leave if he lives there, he'd either have to be arrested for hitting her and/or a restraining order put in place.
I know it's tough for a woman to put a husband in jail, and the fear of living alone and having to take care of a family by herself, but she really needs to realize the danger she is putting herself and the children in. The violence WILL get worse, and if the kids see or hear the fighting and hitting, they will grow up feeling that's a normal relationship and either grow up to be a batterer or end up in a relationship being battered, it's a vicious repeating cycle. I'm sure he grew up in a home where domestic violence was present. You cant help someone who doesn't want help. Someone that resorts to physical violence when angered is a dangerous person. He's been in jail twice, and counseling, for most people that would be a wake up call. If he's hitting her again, especially striking her in the face, he needs to go back to jail. He wasn't being a "good guy" for taking parenting and domestic violence classes, those are court ordered and part of probation.