Chicago's Not-So-Finest

Just had an interesting encounter with the CPD. We live in a townhouse that's one of four, third from the end. My neighbor on the end phoned me and said her husband received a call that their alarm was going off. The husband is in New York, and she works an hour away. I walked outside to see what was going on and there was an empty squad car in front. Our units end at an alley and are fenced in the back--I looped around the alley and saw a young cop looking around. I told him I had the owner on the phone and he just gave me the "Shoo" wave and said "That's why we're here." I said "Alright. I live there (pointing at my unit) if you need anything." and went back in. I was in the basement when I heard some not-unusual noises upstairs. We use pressure gates in our stairways because of our dogs and toddler, and I could hear one being opened. I figured it was my wife, but then realized she was in the other room. I went upstairs and saw the cop in my living room, gun leveled at my dogs! I asked "What are you doing here?!" He had come through our back door by jumping the fence, not realizing which unit he was in. I showed him out, aand he was afraid of my Golden Retrievers. I had to promise they wouldn't harm him! After he left it made me realize how easily I could have been shot if I had just walked upstairs. I don't know why he didn't announce himself after the ruckus he made with the gate.

 

A former cop would tell you to report that to the watch officer. If he actually drew his weapon to use it, even on a dog, he needs to report it himself in the report but $$$ says he did not. And if he is that dumb he needs to have it recorded in their logs in case he shoots the next person like you.

 

The dumb cop could have shot you and your dogs. The guy is either an idiot or a recruit. I hope he realized what the Hell he did. I think he needs another job or needs to go back to the police academy to brushen up his skills before he ends up killing someone or himself. I think you need to report him to police headquarters. Call 311 and tell the operator your story. This is not about getting the cop fired but getting him off the streets until he develops more common sense. I know it is a pain in the ass, but I would definitely do it for the safety of the citizen of the city of Chicago and for your conscience. The cop will not get fired for this but will be under the radar by his superiors. If he did not report the incident that he drew his gun, he will just get a slap on the wrist.

 

Is it standard operating procedure for an officer to enter a home with an alarm sounding (or what he thinks is the right home) without signs of forced entry?

I used to have the key and alarm code for a neighbor's house, and if their alarm went off I would walk over there and give the officers a key to go in, they would clear the house, and we'd reset the alarm. The police couldn't enter the house unless there was a sign of forced entry until someone (me in this case) authorized it, but that might differ between departments.

Also, if he assumed he was in the house with the alarm sounding, I'd be more upset if he didn't have his gun drawn.

 

So why did the neighbors alarm go off?

 

Not true..

 

yes --- usually 2 officers enter together