Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to inform you of the treatment my husband and I received while driving through your city on Sunday, November 10. To be perfectly honest, it was an experience that I would soon like to forget. Let me further explain.
After celebrating my husband’s birthday in New York City, we began driving down the New Jersey Turnpike, headed for home. Unfortunately, we missed a turn and found ourselves getting off at the next exit, which brought us to the city of Hoboken. We drove around in vain trying to find the route that would lead us back to the turn we had missed. To make matters worse, it was one thirty in the morning, and there was no one in sight to ask for directions. We continued to drive aimlessly down unfamiliar streets, hoping to find a person who could help us out. We drove for about another half hour and thought we might follow the road along the river. We thought it might lead us to the road we needed to be on.
While sitting at a red light, a tow truck, with lights flashing came up behind us, proceeded to pass us and turned down a road that had cones halfway across it. I must stress, that the cones were not all the way across the road (otherwise the truck could not have gone through) and there were no flares burning. We decided to follow the truck, hoping that at some point we could get directions from the driver. As soon as we turned down this road, we saw flashing red lights from a police vehicle up ahead. I cannot tell you how relieved we were to finally be able to get some help. However, as soon as we pulled up to the patrol car, an officer got out and started walking towards us yelling “What do you think you are doing? Did you or did you not see the cones?”
My husband began to explain our dilemma, that we were lost and looking for help, but the officer cut him off in mid-sentence and continued to yell that he would give us a ticket, a fine and that my husband would lose four points on his license. He then told us to turn around and get outta here without giving us any assistance at all. At this time, the other officer got out of the patrol car and asked what was going on. The first officers response was “It’s just a couple of f—ing jerk-offs. Needless to say, we turned around and drove off, driving another twenty minutes before we saw two limousine drivers parked on the side of the road. They were very kind to give us the directions we needed.
I would sincerely hope that this is not the normal response of your police department to give to people who are in need in your city. It has always been my understanding that police officers are supposed to be public servants for the good of the people. We know all about that, you see, what I failed to mention is the fact that my husband is a disabled veteran. We also have handicapped tags. We are law-abiding citizens that were lost: that’s the extend of it. We are not, as the officer so plainly stated f—ing jerk-offs. Sadly, we did not get this officer’s badge number. I am afraid he may have ran us in if we asked for it. Quite frankly, we just wanted to get out of this situation. But I am sure the officer in question would know what I am talking about. I am appalled with the knowledge of being treated with such arrogant, unethical behavior that this police officer displayed. His actions are totally inexcusable, and I wonder what he would say if it were his parents being treated the way he treated us. I hope if he is ever confronted with this situation again, that he would demonstrate a little kindness and understanding to the person he is pledged to help.
Sincerely,
Maryann Caprio