Superior In Name Only
I live in a second-floor condo when this happens. One night, I’m watching a film and having a couple of beers. At 23:30, the outside doorbell rings.
Me: “Hello?”
Caller: “Police, open up now!”
Something isn’t right. It’s been a quiet night.
Me: “One minute, please. I’ll come downstairs.”
I walk down two flights of stairs. I open the door, confused, to find four police officers.
Me: “Can I help?”
Officer: “Is this 17 [Location]?”
Me: “Yes?”
Officer: “Open, mate, we have business to do.”
I stay where I am and hand him my police ID. It has my picture and name and says, “Sworn in [date one month ago]”.
Officer: “Oh, hello. We haven’t been introduced, I’m Sergeant [Officer].”
Me: “Reserve [My Surname]. What’s going on, Sarge?”
Officer: “A hoax emergency call was placed for an ambulance to this address. Do you know anything?”
Me: “Huh? A hoax ambulance call? Not me.”
Officer: “Is there anyone else on the property?”
Me: “My roommate. Speak to him if you like; he doesn’t know much English. What’s the address again?”
Officer: “17 [Location] Boulevard, [postcode].”
I’m annoyed. He’s got the wrong address; a cop should know the area. It also isn’t how I planned to introduce myself to a superior officer.
Me: “Sergeant [Officer], this condo block is [Location] Plaza, not [Location] Boulevard. Can I help you find [Location] Boulevard?”
Police: “Please.”
Me: “Street over there. Odd numbers are on the left.”
Clarity, people. Google Maps is there for a reason.