3/2/2008:

I personally thought the Hoboken Police Department did a fine job yesterday maintaining order in the city.

However, one reader has some issues with the priorities they have. What do you think of her story?

Hoboken Police doesn’t care about sober people

“I am a Hoboken resident that did not participate in the parade festivities because I had to work, babysitting for parents so they could go out and drink, while I watched there kids. I was out earlier in the day and had to drive in around 3 pm. In my fury to make it on time, I parked anywhere I could find a parking spot.

Being that I live on Washington Street, I did not expect to find a spot around there. So, the ONLY parking spot I could find was on 12th and Jefferson… which was ridiculous because as I walked towards Washington, I saw more boots and tickets on cars than ever, and knowing that all these out of towners took my spot, I was quite furious.

hoboken-where-did-i-park-my-car.jpgAnyway, I got done babysitting around 9:30 and as I started to make my way through the drunks and rude crowds I made my way back to Jefferson and 11th, walking from 5th. I was cat-called by intoxicated 20 somethings and scared being a female walking by myself. As I got to where I thought I parked my car, I was surprised and afraid to see it was not where I “thought” I parked it. So I walked around for about 20 minutes looking for my car in the spot I thought it was, and no luck. Finally, I went into the Liberty Deli on Adams and asked if they could give me the non-emergency number for the police dept. hoping that they could send a car and help me because I was extremely frightened walking the streets by myself and actually being SOBER. They did not have the number, so I looked it up on my phone and called.

I was connected with a policewoman that answered the phone. I told her my problem: “I am not intoxicated, I live on Washington Street and had to park my car in the back. I can not remember exactly where I parked it and I do not feel safe walking can you please send a car to help me.” Her response was “So you are intoxicated and your car was stolen? you need to come to the police department and report it” again I informed her of my soberness and that NO my car was not stolen, the streets are not safe for a female to walk alone and I was scared, in the meantime I was crying on the phone with this policewoman.

She then told me it probably got towed. I told her NO i have a resident sticker and I did not park in an illegal space. She then told me it was NOT THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS PRIORITY TO COME AND HELP ME. I then asked her if it was the police departments priority to come and help me when I get attacked and raped by some drunken group of men who can not control their liquor. She then told me, she could not send anyone at this time. THANKS A LOT HOBOKEN POLICE! IT IS FUNNY HOW THEY WILL PROTECT THE DRUNK PEOPLE, BUT THE SOBER PEOPLE ARE NOT THEIR PRIORITY!! In the meantime, one of the nice workers at the Liberty Gourmet Deli on Adams street saw I was upset and told me he would help me and we got in his car and he drove me around till I found my car. I just wanted to say thank you to the man at the deli, and how disappointed I am in the police force and the idiots they have answering the phone there. It is bad enough when you look out your window and see people peeing on the street, but when you call the police department for help, and they tell you they are not your priority, it is frightening.

Thanks for listening, and I truly hope you share this with the community so they can see how the Hoboken Police are not worried about the residents, but the out-of-towners get better treatment then we do. And we still have to pay taxes so they can go party with Hooters girls!

Personally, I think forgetting where you parked is pretty silly, but it wasn’t very professional of the Hoboken Police to treat her in such a way. They could have at least tried to accommodate her in some way, even if it meant waiting till an officer was in the area or freed up from a call.

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