Boat Hound

Has anyone heard of people not getting arrested due to Covid? We had an issue last night around midnight with someone walking around on our roof, looking into our skylights which happen to be the master bedroom and bath, while we were in bed. It's an old building in town that has a bunch of buildings abutting each other. They gained access to the roof (4 story buildings), from the building next door and hopped the knee wall on the roof for access. Long and short of it the GF calls 911, I take off to grab them. The cops show up and of course the little punks are apologizing up and down. The cops call the supervisor who says just cite them for criminal trespass and let them go. They explain to me that they don't arrest people and bring them in unless there is significant danger. WTF is that all about?!? I guess that means they are still going to court and all, but they just let people walk? The police apologized for not being able to do more.

On a side note, my gf gave me a gold star for not cracking skulls. The reality is I got them on the fire escape just as the police rolled up. Huge kudos to the Police for what seemed like a 30 second response time, but wtf to supervisors for just letting people go.

txj33p

Well if you believe what you see on TV, the only other option for the cops would have to shoot one of them. Seriously things are bad for policing now and I don’t it getting any better in the near future. Given that the trespassing will likely get only a slap at their wrists, it does not motivate anyone to further action. Glad you did not have more serious trouble.

Lone Ranger

No, But I've seen Looters and Criminals Not get arrested for other reasons.

yammi250

It's like that everywhere now ..desk appearance tickets..except Lancaster Pa.

1 day ago - Some of the people arrested during this week's protests in Lancaster City have had their bail set at $1 million.

Tegin1

Considering how badly the police are being treated in general at least they responded quickly and did what they could. If I remember correctly many prisoners were released at the beginning of COVID. I suspect that unless the committed crime is considered to be egregious the perps will walk free. New reality in the world of COVID.

RickC137

If they were juveniles, an arrest is a huge hassle. If they're easily identified adults, cops just saved the time of transport, booking, fingerprints, photograph, and ultimately bonding out a few hours later. A futile exercise.

They identified, charged, and released. They're back on patrol ready to respond within "30 seconds", instead of babysitting douche bags downtown.

The end result is the same. A day in court.

Nothing to do with Covid. Common practice.

Boat Hound

Maybe - these DB's where 18 & 19, it would have been nice to give them the full treatment as a deterrent.

porcha

if they had prior records, especially related to tresspass/theft and were let go - that'd be a big head scratcher but first time offenders and a citation is a good lesson - sounds like the cops really saved them from you lol

alligatorgar

picture of wife...

AsurfAholic

Criminal trespass was the right call and I don’t see that as deserving of jail time on first offense. Check your statutes for sentencing guidelines they will probably get community service or something

KBH

Probably can get one from the teen age window peepers. Wonder how many times they've been up there checking her out?

Boat Hound

Girlfriend, lets not get ahead of ourselves...

Boat Hound

More than likely...this was the 3rd time the police were called for this over the last 6 months, which is in part why I was so charged up.

rkatz

Yes. Talking with my criminal defense attorney friends, they are struggling because arrests are way down. I'm sure crime didn't go down. They're just trying to keep jail populations low due to Covid.

RickC137

True, sometimes "taking the ride" makes a difference, but it's the same as an arrest, and there's the same possibility of jail time when they go to court.

The best thing for them is to not show up. Bench warrant issued, fun ensues. Judges don't like being dissed.

LBGuy

Arrests are down nationwide. As someone else mentioned, most jails and prisons released a good portion of their inmates early to avoid COVID. My jail was close to 30%, and almost every single one one released has reoffended, some within hours of being released. Everything goes on a summons now, with a court date months in the future. Most street/patrol guys I know have been directed to not do traffic stops in order to minimize risk of exposure. Its a gigantic crock. We normally process between 500-1000 inmates a month. We are currently at a little over 2400 for the year.

Jay_Rod

I think COVID was definitely a factor in the reduction of arrests earlier this year during the “Peak.” But now? No way. Look at all the crap LEO’s are dealing with nationwide. People are protesting even on justified shootings? Most, if not all the cops I talk to are not worried about COVID. But they are extremely concerned about what’s happening throughout the country with defunding the police and protests. It’s pretty obvious why the numbers are down and will continue to decrease. Honestly, I don’t blame them!

Bailey Boat

Ya know, I've heard many times of people accidentally falling off roofs. Must have something to do with them being up that high....

mikefloyd

We all know the reason but can't say it here.

alligatorgar

here’s to our wives and girl friend’s

may they never meet....