What is the purpose of Calling the Police in Colombia?

nevertrustapaisa says on Sep 25, 2009, 11:41:

Reporting mostly for statistics. But enough reports of trouble in one spot could lead the police chief for the neighborhood to assign more frequent patrols. And CAI's have been built based on high crime spots also.

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theflatline says on Sep 25, 2009, 11:50:

I called the police once on my neighbor for having a party that lasted two days in my condo, and the police came and partied with the neighbors.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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chingon says on Sep 25, 2009, 11:50:

I get get pulled over all the time.. frickin joke. punks looking for a hand out.. I never pay...I make sure all my papaer work is up to date... I tell them i " sort of " understand spanish. they always let me go without incident

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Sep 25, 2009, 11:53:

Just what I figured... anybody else?

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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Desi1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Sep 25, 2009, 11:54:

We called the police when our home was burglarised in Cali.
They came and wrote a report. That was the end of it.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 25, 2009, 12:05:

Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Sep 25, 2009, 12:07:

Jewelry stolen from where Kat? Your home? on mugged or what?

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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theflatline says on Sep 25, 2009, 12:10:

Kat,

You might need to show us a picture of you wearing the jewelry.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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johnny2009 says on Sep 25, 2009, 12:16:

The filth are too busy policing the anti smoking laws, please don't bother them with trivial shit like muggings and drive by shootings

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 25, 2009, 12:26:

Lisa Zee says on Sep 25, 2009, 14:07:

He was on a mission, like you said, he knew you had them.

I only bring silver o custom jewelry when I go there. I leave most valuables in the bank here. I see my friends and family driving everywhere wearing very expensive stuff; I would not dare.

We need some private detectives, besides the ones that follow cheating man.

Vive la vida y deja vivir!.

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Haddeman says on Sep 25, 2009, 16:49:

After 31 years running various burglary and robbery squads in London I used to be shocked when I was forced to attend the public meetings where the public demanded what we were doing about dog shit,bad parking and noisy parties.I tried to explain that we had just arrested a robber who admitted 20 muggings and they were more concerned with the local callejero shitting in the park.Mind you it was in Kensington and Chelsea !

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 25, 2009, 16:54:

kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 25, 2009, 17:05:

kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 25, 2009, 17:34:

Lisa Zee says on Sep 25, 2009, 17:43:

I would have paid her a visit.

My mother gave me her very old gold Colombian coin when I was visiting in the 80`s, I was wearing it on my neck. One day it was gone. I just hired a babysitter for my son, it had to be her, so I told her to please let me find that coin, because before my dad die he gave it to me, and "even if it was not gold" (I lied) it would be so sad to loose the only thing I had from him. Next day I found it in my just pressed clothes!

Vive la vida y deja vivir!.

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bufalo says on Sep 25, 2009, 19:15:

the police were called and then pulled me off a guy I was beating the piss out of because I caught him being a peeping tom so I guess they must do stuff from time to time.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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quantum says on Sep 25, 2009, 20:11:

Lisa Z....U couldnt have handled that one any better.......U can start with that technique, and then failing that move on to rewards. Somebody always knows, and dangling a reward in front of them can get results....and then theres always the option of paying the cops, which I have had to do several times in Costa Rica. Put them on the incentive plan, and pay them for results.....somebody out there in the network knows what happened to Kats jewels, and with enuff $ dangled in front of them, they/he/she will sing... the thieves are invariably so damn clever and sneaky...Wouldnt u love to just catch em in the act once? Years worth of aggression taken out on that poor unwitting ladrone............

quantum

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billyb says on Sep 25, 2009, 23:42:

"I called the police once on my neighbor for having a party that lasted two days in my condo"

He had a party in your condo for 2 days? Did you know him? How did he get the keys?



"the police came and partied with the neighbors."

In your condo as well?

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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theflatline says on Sep 25, 2009, 23:47:

billy,

I meant the condos I was living in at the time, the condo across the way.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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billyb says on Sep 25, 2009, 23:48:

I know flats, just messing with ya. But it is true what you say, you call the police in Cali on a party (not that I ever would, unless it was in my house and the neighbor was having it) and all they will do is get some guaro and food, but that is one of things I like best about Colombia, none of this uptight shite.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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coolcoil says on Sep 26, 2009, 12:22:

I'm not reading anything here that is any different than I have seen here in the US:

1) Mugged at knifepoint in Philly (20 years ago). Police took a report and suggested that I not use an ATM when alone.

2) Our business in a Philly suburb was robbed. There was a huge oil thumbprint on one of the doors that was not there the night before. Police took a report. They had no interest in the thumbprint, and seemed annoyed with me for pointing it out to them.

3) Just recently, I called 911 to report gunshots in my neighborhood at 3 a.m. (My neighborhood is not the greatest - I now live in a small city in Pennsylvania) I was asked if I had seen the shooter - I had not. I was told that my call would be noted, but no car sent.

4) The next day, I accidentally called 911 again when I hit redial (I had forgotten about the call the night before). I immediately realized what I had done and hung up after one ring. An hour later, I was working in the yard, and a police cruiser pulled up and asked if I called 911. I explained what happened. The cop said that they had to check out all hang-ups to 911. I apologized for my mistake, and he left. However, I was thinking: If you are concerned that my hang up was forced, why did it take an hour for you to get here???

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Sep 26, 2009, 12:48:

There's an abundance of crime in every main city in the U.S. Just like there's an abundance of crime in every major city in Colombia, what does you statement have to do with Colombia and Colombian police? Your statement does nothing to diminish the FACT that Colombia is now experiencing a MAJOR upswing in crime and petty theft.

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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kenblanquito says on Sep 26, 2009, 13:56:

With regard to frequent parties and noisy gatherings in Medellin, you obtain better results by phoning the "Inspection" Dept of the Alcaldia (which is part of the dept of the environment). They will investigate frequent offenders and issue formal warnings. They do actually visit the complainant and afterwards the guilty party. For one-offs, try the police. We have noticed that if you speak to the police with some respect and in a pleasant (or even somewhat patronizing manner), they often get off their bums and do something.
One thing worthwhile is to build up a friendship with the police in your local kiosk or kai. Having befriended a local officer in the Centre, he will always help out and he has insisted that I call him on his mobile if I have a problem. In exchange; share a tinto and help him practice his English. As strange as it may seem, some of the police here are decent and try to do a good job.

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goin_south says on Sep 26, 2009, 14:05:

what is the purpose of calling the police anywhere?
well... only to "document" that something happened.
or, at least 'what appeared to have happened'.

as opposed to what is written on the side of the car: "To Protect and to Serve"... that's just public relations, not reality. They do some good service. Protection? occasionally. rarely.

nothin I say is to be takn for my words, but rather for the words of Sailor Jerry.

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bufalo says on Sep 26, 2009, 17:56:

You could always ask them on the side if they do any "after-work moonlighting". That can always fix your problems permanently (but could bring you more as well!)

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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davidslc46 says on Sep 27, 2009, 00:12:

MES

Its about as useful as flagging a comment or bitching about a favorite poster who is hurling insults on PBH......................................


Not surprising that they are equal in your mind, but seriously MES it is a website not a way of life,

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coolcoil says on Sep 27, 2009, 10:07:

Paisa -

The purpose of my comments regarding my experience with the police in the US is to point out that though the results of calling the Colombian police for robbery and theft are usually disappointing, this does not prove that the Colombian police are worse in this regard than in my first world country.

The complaints here about the lack of action by Colombian police imply that the response by police in the US would be much better, but my experience says that is not the case. (UK may be a different story)

It is not meant in any way to address or diminish concern about the increase in crime. My wife lives near Rionegro, and she and I are very concerned about the increase in robberies and theft.

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