TPD responded faster to shooting photos than shooting bullets
We were seated in the kitchen when three shots were fired. I jumped up in time to see a dark-colored, fourdoor vehicle pass by then watched as it made a slow turn onto an East Ward street.
The car moved off as people in the house and nextdoor neighbors absorbed the nervousness, shock and anxiety associated with gun shots, especially ones fired in such close proximity.
The homeowner called 9-11, answered every question and then we waited for police officers. They never arrived. A week before, police had responded for a complaint voiced by Rush Crossing employees.
This journalist had some how violated employees’ rights by taking photos of them near a garbage area.
Hard to understand why an iPhone photo attracted two police officers while shots fired gained no attention.
Mind you, police were respectful and professional during their visit to Rush Crossing.
Police did return to the East Ward for a surprise night raid on suspected drug dealers the next day, a futile exercise that amounted to police chasing black cats in the dark.
Tuesday morning produced five more shots fired and the homeowner made another 9-1-1 call.
Police drove through the area although no one would expect to find a man standing around with a gun.
Several hours later, the homeowner went outside and found one bullet casing.
She called police. Officers arrived, collected the bullet shell, looked around for others, then left.
Homeowners are not police and should not be responsible to act out fantasies about being the next Jessica Fletcher on television series “Murder She Wrote.”
Residents remain perplexed about a stifled relationship with police who refuse to walk beats in their neighborhoods. Such exercise could improve police effectiveness and likely build the trust necessary to form coalitions that improve law enforcement initiatives.
Frustration builds in numerous parts of Trenton as residents cry out for help but receive minimal responses.
The East Ward bullet finder has spent several years attempting to gain support to fight against an invasion of drug dealers and crime. I have been eyewitness to her pleas at community meetings, discussions with East Ward Councilwoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, discussions with Police Director Ernest Parrey, discussions with police community liaisons, etc.
While police request help from citizens to fight crime, continually ask residents to play a safe role in crime fighting, it’s incumbent that they behave in a manner that at least gives an appearance that they care.
Police should not ask residents to make anonymous calls about criminals then do nothing.
Reports of shots fired deserves a serious police response not lukewarm drive-bys.
Police should know that Trenton residents desire safe environments and want to support law enforcement efforts.
However, a recurring theme projects an idea that police have no vested interest in not only offering protection but no real mission to develop healthy relationships with residents.
Most police make the money and take the money back to their suburban homes.
Great, they can reside anywhere their hearts desire. But the pay requires that Trenton residents receive value-for-value services from police or else their contract is not worth the paper it’s printed on.
Police should arrive as quickly as possible when shots are fired.