Experience alters perspective on events

Apiece of glass and a frame. Almost all of us think of a picture frame. Now we ask who, what, where, when and why a particular snapshot was taken. Our interpretation to those questions will be analyzed by our perception from the seat we occupy.

The windshield of our patrol car office offers us a unique porthole to life’s circumstances. We may not see everything, but what we do see, we ask ourselves the above.

Allow me to provide some insight. While on patrol, an officer’s observations must be tainted with suspicion. You say, not every call we go on is worthy of this suspicion. Wrong!

Tell that to the 31-year-old Windermere, Fla., officer allegedly killed by an 18-year-old male and his 17-year-old girlfriend. The public often is not offered the total background relating to what or why a police officer is taking action.

Through training, experience and accomplishments, an officer’s vantage point through that windshield can be similar to opening Pandora’s Box. So, next time you hear a story involving a police officer, stop and ask yourself those five basic questions. Put yourself in the officer’s shoes for a minute. Don’t you want to make it home to see your wife, kids, mom and dad? God knows I do.

Hop in, I just cleaned my windshield; let’s see what we can find.

“Control, 269, I’ll be 10-8 (in-service) with a civilian ride along.”

March 23. Officers are dispatched to the dry lake bed regarding a critical accident involving an ATV. The caller is unsure where they’re at. While that area may look small, it’s not. Officers arrive and locate an injured female subject in the area of mile marker 51 and U.S. Highway 95 on that dry lake bed. Mercy Flight is on its way. The female ATV rider is transported and a report taken.

March 24. We receive a call regarding two subjects who appear to be smoking Mary Jane near the Girl Scout House by the pool. Officers arrive and find no one. However, the scent trail was followed and the officers find a couple of juveniles not too far away. The older teenager is cited. It may be legal somewhere but not in Boulder City.

March 25. Do you know your address? Caller on Avenue D reports there’s an unknown subject sitting on the porch steps. The homeowner is concerned; it’s 2 a.m. The subject attempted to stand, but like a sail without wind, they luff left to right and around and around. Officers arrive, determine it wasn’t lake water the gentleman had been drinking. After rescue clears the subject, officers provide a courtesy transport to the inebriated man. Lucky day, the transport wasn’t to jail, but to his house a couple of blocks away.

March 26. A local motel calls to report a subject screaming in the lobby. Officers arrive and find one of our locals, who loves the firewater. It’s a small issue or drink according to them. Lucky for us, the subject’s probation conduction has a no-alcohol clause. Boulder City court marshals will have a new guest.

March 27. It’s a beautiful night. At 2 a.m., not a lot of cars are driving down the street. An officer sees something off in the distance. What’s in the middle of New Mexico Street? Oh, the sidewalks aren’t safe enough? The subject is on his way to a friend’s house, at 2 a.m.? OK, the subject does not appear to be under the influence of any mood-altering substance or liquids. The officer dispenses a stern warning for walking in the roadway.

March 28. Officers are dispatched to a suspicious incident off Arizona Street. Officers arrive and hear a male subject yelling at someone. Officers are invited in by family. The officer hears the subject in the bathroom, with the water running. Then comes a splash. Then we hear a salute to some general. He attempted smoking some methamphetamine earlier. The subject was transported to Boulder City Hospital for evaluation. Drugs are not a pathway to sanity.

March 29. Officers are dispatched to the a gas station facing the lake regarding a battery. The officer arrives, learning the suspect fled on foot after a struggle with a family member. We contact the victim and learn the son has been supplementing his prescribed medication with some methamphetamine and heroin. Loving parents want their son to get help. We find him, place him under arrest and hope he gets the help he so desperately needs. This is the hard part of our job.

You guys and gals are awesome. Spring has arrived and it’s been beautiful. Have a great week!

“Control, 269, we’ll be 10-7 (out of service).”

Officer Jeffrey Grasso is a 10-year veteran of the Boulder City Police Department. He previously served as a police officer in south Florida for four years.