Home Sweet Home

Found out someone attempted to break in to my mom's Pathfinder last Friday in broad daylight. Those are some fuckin' balls! Then, when they call the police for a report, they're told that they'd have to fill out a form online! What about the people who have limited or no access to the internet, as well as those who don't know how to use it?! My poor mother. No one has shown her how to even turn on the computer. I went ahead and filled out the stupid form online for her and sent the Stockton Police Department a nice little message.


From: Gerlie
Subject: Police Reporting
Date: August 1, 2005 11:08:28 PM PDT
To: police@ci.stockton.ca.us
Cc: Mom, Mike, Dist6@ci.stockton.ca.us

To whom it may concern,
My parents experienced an attempted auto theft last week in broad daylight. Although their car was not stolen, the feeling of violation on their personal property and well being continues to linger.

An attempt was made to contact the Stockton police department to report the crime shortly after the discovery of their damaged vehicle. The person they spoke with informed them that they would not send out a police car and instructed my mother fill out a police report online. I was a bit taken aback that the only option presented to them was to fill out the report online. I realize that the online reporting may make the process a bit more efficient. Is there any other way to get access to your services for those with 1) limited personal access to the internet, 2) limited or no knowledge of how to use the internet? I am concerned because having access to this type of technology is not always afforded to those of older age nor to those at low levels of income.

The crime happened on Friday, July 29th around 5pm. I did not hear about the news until today, 8/1/05. Because my parents have limited knowledge of the internet, I filled out the application for them even though I now live in Northridge in Southern California. If you would like to reference the temporary police report number, it is T05001721. It was submitted today, 8/1/05 at 19:12.

I applaud the technological advancements the Police Department and the City of Stockton have made with offering online services but I hope provisions have been made for those who have yet to afford access to those technolgical advancements. I have already suggested to my mother that she and my father look into advocating for a neighborhood watch program if there is not one already, as well as working with the local neighborhood council or their city council district office to ensure the well being of their neighborhood. Should you hear of more crimes in that area, I strongly advocate that police cars perform periodic drive-throughs on top of residences' efforts to maintain the well being of their communities.

Sincerely,
Gerlie Collado
Thomas Edison High School - Class of 1997
Stockton resident - 15 years


I took the liberty of copying their council district office, as well as one of my dingbat brothers who hasn't taught my mom how to use the freakin' computer! I promised mama I would teach her basics as long as she learned how to check her voicemail on her cellphone. No voicemail, no internet training. :-)