There is probably someone they could be helping

For any of you who read the most recent issue, there was a photo I took of two unidentified male students running away with one of the anti-abortion protester's signs. I do not condone their behavior, but it was newsworthy, so we published it.

This morning, I got to the office and found that I had a voicemail from an officer with the Bremerton Police Department who wanted to ask me questions because they are investigating the theft.

That is not a problem, it is easy enough for me to handle because I don't know anything. I did not get a good look at the guys, and they did not give their names. My issue stems with the fact that the number Officer Green left for me to contact him at was 9-1-1. He wanted me to call 9-1-1 after a certain time because he would be the answering dispatcher. 

This goes against everything I have been taught. I have always been told NEVER to call 9-1-1 unless it was an emergency lest I take the attention from someone who really needs help. Is this some sort of thing our parents tell us because they don't want us prank calling the emergency services?

I did not want to do it. I considered calling the main office number instead, but I could not decide if it was a good idea to disobey what the police tell me to do (darn that military brainwashing).

People who were in the office when I made the call can attest to the fact that I was incredibly nervous about calling that number. I have only called 9-1-1 once in my life and, I assure you, it was not a pleasant experience. 

Go figure that when I call, at the prescribed time, he was not there. It took me a bit to explain to the female dispatcher what I was calling for. The first thing out of my mouth was "I am not having an emergency."

I hope no one died while I was tying up the dispatcher explaining what Officer Green had asked of me. If they did, I am sorry. Blame Officer Green and his come-what-may use of the emergency call lines. 

I am still worried.

Alex