Fail.
So they are doing work at an interstate exit I have to drive past on my way to work.
Normally, not a big deal, except that this morning, one of the stoplights was not working. The drivers entering the intersection were, actually, doing a pretty good job of dealing with it, pretty much treating the now uncontrolled intersection as if it were a 4 way stop. Traffic was flowing pretty good, but still…
I pulled out my cell phone and called the Indiana State police 800 number. No joy, I kept getting connected to Indianapolis rather than the closest post. “No big deal”, says I, “I drive right past their office and can stop and let them know….”
So I did.
I pulled into their lot and, just to be sure that I was legal, disarmed and walked into the office. Good thing too.
A snarly looking man opened the window and said “What do you want?” ….Nice greeting. Oh well….
“Just thought that I’d let you know that the stoplight is out about a mile from here…..West side of the highway. Maybe you can call someone?”
“Nope. Call County. We don’t deal with that.”
“Perhaps you could call them? I don’t have the number…” I suggested.
“Nope, You call ’em”
With that, he closed the window and walked away. Nice. I successfully restrained myself from knocking on the window to ask him why he was being a total dick or other such questions, and walked out the door
So I left the building, googled the county I was in for the Sheriff’s number, called it, and let them know that the light was out. The dispatcher was polite, thanked me, and said she’d inform the right people.
When I drove past the area about an hour later, the lights were working again. Seems that the County folks take their job seriously.
Now: the Indiana State Police no longer “Serve and Protect”, but their mission statement is:
- The protection of life and property will be our primary focus.
- We will uphold and defend federal and Indiana state constitutions and enforce all laws.
- We will address crimes and offenders with diligent, conscientious and proactive initiatives.
- We will ensure public safety on our roadways with vigorous and directed traffic enforcement.
- We will assist the public and all police agencies at any time and in any manner possible.