If the ATL police care as much at the Redmond PD, then the phone call goes about like this: (paraphrased from an actual call I made.)

"Redmond Police, officer <name> speaking."

"Someone just tried to hit me with their car while I was riding my bicycle. I have the make, model and plate for the vehicle and I'd like to file a report for agressive driving."

"Were you struck or injured?"

"No."

"I'm sorry that someone drove a bit too close to you sir," (yes, that was an actual quote) "but unless you were struck by the vehicle, the department can't do anything unless we witness the driver performing the action."

"So all of the Dial 911 to report agressive driving signs around town are just pretty decorations?"

"If you'd like to come to the station and file a report you may do that, but we can't guarantee any action from it."


The local PD's have all made it very obvious that with the recent budget cuts, they're underfunded to investigate the "insignificant" cases. Another example: Someone at my old apartment (next door to the Redmond PD) intercepted a piece of bank mail and used my credit card to purchase a bunch of items. They were stupid enough to have the items sent to my old apartment, where they now lived. I filed a police report and even told them of the arrival date of the packages (I had gleaned that info by calling the companies), yet the police told me the dollar amount of the theft wasn't high enough for them to make an arrest.
Yes, that's right. Unless there's trading of paint or big money involved, the cops can't be bothered to care.