Hello everyone, I received the below email, and the private one sent by Mrs. Day. So I'll address her concerns as best I can. First, I must dispel the myths. We are not CSI (okay, must admit I've never watched the show, but heard a great deal about the program.) and the procedures for processing a vehicle, home or an item for fingerprints is not as it is portrayed on television. We do not have unlimited resources, and the Mobile Crime Unit typically processes homes and crime scenes of a heinous nature. The zone officers, volunteer to take additional training to process stolen vehicles or theft from vehicle cases. And yes, much like myself, the person is occasionally off when a vehicle needs to be processed. Printing vehicles...weather, surface and elimination prints are all integral to processing the vehicle. In other words, although it may appear that a vehicle can be printed, in fact, it may not. For instance, the vehicle would have to reach an internal temperature of about 55 degrees, and we haven't seen that in a while. We would have to obtain elimination prints from the owners, mechanics, family members, or anyone who may have had access to the vehicle. After that, we would run the prints through our computers to try and obtain a match, if one existed. Smooth surfaces are not necessarily smooth, but appear that way to the human eye. Our best surface is glass in the vehicle. Again, temperature, humidity levels, and debris will all impact the quality of prints. And finally, gloves...as it is winter, most folks wear gloves. Retaliation for talking to the police about a stolen car...I will never say what can or will happen, however, I believe we need to interact. If Mrs. Day is uncomfortable talking with us in public, we can always talk at the station, a nearby store, coffee shop, ect. 311 is another source of information, and you can leave information tips about crime on the "Citizen Observer." As for the police being just administrators and redistributors of stolen property, I know that the Zone 5 officers are dedicated, hard-working individuals who willingly risk their lives for everyone...personal property included. Cmdr RaShall M. Brackney, Commander Zone Five Station Penn Circle West and Ansley Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206 (412) 665-3605 -----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com] On Behalf Of Shelly Danko+Day Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:53 AM To: HighlandPark Listserve Subject: [Highland Park] Looking out for neighbors Hello Neighbors! I'm very concerned about what I experienced this morning. This takes place in the South West Quadrant of Highland Park. I found someone's property in the back alley. I called 911 to report it. When the officer came out it turns out the vehicle next to the property that has been parked in the neighboring house, is stolen. They had it towed. However, THE person who does finger printing is off today so it won't get checked for finger prints. The officer tried to make me feel better by saying that with weather and rain it's hard to get prints, dirt, etc. Well, it was just stolen yesterday, there hasn't been rain or snow, the steering column was busted, the steering wheel is smooth, the gear shift is smooth...not buying it! As many of you know, I have been the target of retribution several times over the 8 years we've lived here, yet I continue to do what I believe it right and report what I see and try to look out for my neighbors and others! Is it true that the cops are just administrators to clean up and re-distribute stolen property? Isn't vehicle theft a pretty hefty crime? Do you think the people who stole this car and saw me talking with the cops are going to just let it slide?! Yes, I can just hear them saying "oh, darn, they took that car. That Shelly, got me again!" I've called Zone 5, emailed the commander (I think she's off today) and called my contacts, but no one has any suggestions. Am I just a sucker?! Please let me know if you have any ideas/suggestions for me. I'm just glad someone will have their car back for Christmas, however, I don't want to suffer for it. By the way, when my tires were slashed a couple months back, I received a money order for $25 from an anonymous person. Thank you! You gave me hope! Sincerely, Your neighborly neighbor, Shelly ________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=51438/*http:/www.yahoo.com/r/hs>