Notes to Strangers (#1)
To: The woman in the SUV who hit the trailer in the mall parking lot and then took off...
First, thanks for reminding me that I should never shirk my responsibility. I should have written down your license number so that the trailer owner could have some hope of restitution.
But, in good faith, I trusted you to do the right thing. Particularly since my wife and I saw you blaze into the lot, whiz into the spot on ice and snow and hit the trailer in the spot next to you. Even more so since you then came over to us and spoke with us, asking what we thought you should do. (It was obvious to us you were annoyed that anyone witnessed the accident in the first place) After advising you that leaving your name and phone number so the owner of the trailer could contact you, we left our vehicle and entered the mall. My wife watched you get back into your vehicle and poked me in the arm to turn around. We both watched you pull out of the spot and speed out of the lot, leaving no note or showing no regard for the damage you caused.
Upon walking back out to the victim's vehicle and seeing a severely damaged fender on the trailer, we know your vehicle had to be damaged as well.
I hope you never have to teach children the value of honesty or decency. And I hope that if the proverbial "shoe" is ever on the other foot, that you will not complain about the injustice done to you.
Second, a note to the owner of the trailer and truck parked on the South side of Sears that day - I apologize for having faith that this woman would do the right thing. That leaves me with no information to share that would allow you to pursue restitution. My apologies.
As a footnote, isn't it sad that people can get away with these type of incidents because they would be deemed "unimportant enough" for law enforcement to pursue? Certainly auto body shops could be put on alert to watch for a black newer model SUV with damage to the passenger front bumper. I, for one, have learned my lesson and will take more initiative to be proactive if such a situation should arise again.
Feb 28, 2008 at 8:52 p.m.
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"I have had two separate incidents of this sort of "minor" nature and been told there was nothing that could be done by law enforcement."
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Unfortunately this post will probably be taken as "cop bashing" but they should look at it as constructive criticism. Sadly, I and many people I know have experienced situations with law enforcement which have left us with similar conclusions; either law enforcement can't or won't take action. Usually the latter.
So I can see why more and more people want less and less to do with L.E. in these types of situations.
Feb 28, 2008 at 11:22 a.m.
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To mcs and doc0430:
I find encouragement that you have had positive experiences in dealing with law enforcement on these issues. I have had two separate incidents of this sort of "minor" nature and been told there was nothing that could be done by law enforcement.
But in retrospect, you are both correct and you can be sure that in the future, I will take a more proactive approach even if it is "after the fact". Thanks for all your posts.
Feb 25, 2008 at 5:14 p.m.
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Tim by leaving this posting that doesn't relieve you of responsibility in my mind. You are guilty of what I call "Ignorant apathy". You don't know and really don't much care. You should have called the local law enforcement and let them decide what the appropriate action would be. You would be surprised many,many hit and runs have been solved with much less.
Feb 25, 2008 at 3:28 p.m.
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This reminds me of a time when I was sitting in my car behind Bergners. A very nice, large, Cadillac pulls into a parking stall within my view. An elderly woman opens the door and proceeds to empty her ashtray and trash on the ground. I sat there in disbelief! I let her do that with no comment from me. I was so angry at her and even more upset with myself for not speaking up. I'm sure she was harmless but in other situations, I tell myself, and my husband, that the individual doing dumb things just may have some type of weapon, and go 'postal', so let it go. It's very sad that our society dictates some of us doing the right thing for fear of our lives.
Feb 23, 2008 at 7:36 a.m.
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I think we can all take something away from this. It's unfortunate, but a percentage of people out there cannot be trusted to do the right thing if there is no threat of punishment. (or, more correctly, by not doing the right thing, they avoid punishment and invite it by doing the right thing) Taking down the liscence number and other pertinent info is obvious in retrospect, but in today's "don't get involved" world, not doing so is more the norm.
Feb 21, 2008 at 6:54 p.m.
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"isn't it sad that people can get away with these type of incidents because they would be deemed "unimportant enough" for law enforcement to pursue?"
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What makes you think that?
Feb 19, 2008 at 1:24 p.m.
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Why didn't you leave A note with some info of the SUV? You know like make, model, color, if the plates were from Wisconsin or out of state. You know stuff like that so the police could do there thing file A report and wait and see if someone turned themselves in..............
Feb 18, 2008 at 7:17 p.m.
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I have been in your position,and,have felt exactly like you do...Isn't it sad that we can't trust people to do the right thing? What has happened to our society???
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