At what point do you start worrying?

[bluemouse]

Erich decided to do a ride-along tonight with one of the cops that works at the sheriff's office. He told me he'd be home around 8. It's now 10:30 and I haven't even heard from him. He always but ALWAYS calls if he's going to be late, so that I don't worry.

I'm not panicking because it's possible that he's stuck out on a call with the officer and can't get to a phone. But gee whiz...2 1/2 hours late??

[Mary Ann]

I worry when anything's out of character, or out of his normal pattern.

Hubby used to be able to come home so reliably I could just about set my watch by it. But lately he's been tied up in meetings that run later, which makes him later due to the terrible traffic. And he's having to travel a bit more. This goes in fits and starts, depending on what direction his work is taking. He's pretty good about calling, though; he has a cell phone and can even text me if he's in a meeting.

I don't worry about a half hour outside the routine. An hour has me calling his cell. If Erich doesn't have a cell, he probably just can't let you know, and the newness of it is leaving him less able to judge the passage of time. He probably thinks he's about a half hour late.

Since this is the morning after, I assume everything's okay? Is Erich okay? Or is somebody sleeping on the couch?

[wildfire]

he's safe.

Remember that in the USA, few jobs are as SAFE as law enforcement.

The vast majority of law enforcement officers retire without EVER using, most don’t even draw, their gun in the line of duty.

Fewer law enforcement officers (LEOs) are killed NATIONWIDE in the line of duty, than taxi cab drivers killed in New York City.

Most criminal encounters with civilians, are initiated by the criminal, at a time when the civilian lest expects it, LEOs aren’t around, and the civilian is the most vulnerable.
As a Rule; Criminals go to great lengths to commit their crimes away from the presents and view of LEOs. 99.9% of LEO encounters with criminals, the LEO initiates. (Dispatched to the scene, turned on the blue lights, saw something suspicious, etc.)

With most crimes, the LEOs are called and they respond.
But they are seldom called before the criminal has left the crime scene. (“Uh, pardon me Mr. Robber, do you mind if I make a quick phone call? No? Thanks!”)

If something “Doesn’t look right”, in most cases, the LEO can quickly call for backup.
When a LEO calls for backup; Big men with sticks, pepper spray, tasers, high-capacity sidearms, shotguns, assault weapons, and machine-guns, wearing bullet resistant vests, show up IN A HURRY!

I hope this helps to ease your mind about Erich going on a ride-along. (Heck if they expected trouble, they wouldn’t take a ride-along with them.)

But as with all worrisome things, until there is a problem, there ISN’T a problem.

Men are just inconsiderate. (Besides, he wouldn’t want "them to think I'm “Meow-Whipped!” )

[Lindanshadow]

I'm sure he is safe. My husband is a fireman and he always tells me that if something happens someone will call. Basically no news is good news. Alto no matter what he says I still worry on the days he works.
Linda H.

[bluemouse]

Sorry guys, he's fine! LOL I figured that if something did happen, the sheriff's office would have called.

He rolled in three hours late and was very apologetic. He nearly slept on the floor (we don't have a couch - LOL) but he talked his way out of it.

[ExLibris]

Glad he's ok, Mouse! I have to say, though, I was pursuing a career in law enforcement before I had kids, and 2 1/2 hours late is nothing, as far as I'm concerned. In other careers, yeah, it's a big deal, but when you're on a ride-along, time sorta disappears, and if something interesting is happening, you can't really say, "Sorry guys, my shift is up. Later!" ;D I'm glad he was able to explain it to you, too. Did he at least have a fun night?

[bluemouse]

Ex, he said that it was the most boring ride he's been on in awhile! LOL (He was a cop in St. Louis for 6 years - he knows the drill.) He said they were getting calls for the silliest stuff, like someone called because there was a strange car parked in their neighbor's driveway. Turns out they were friends of the people that lived there and they'd all gone to Gatesville to eat and left their car at the house.

Another call was about a gate that was open. So they toodle out there and sure enough, there's a gate open. "But it's usually closed!" according to the neighbor. Yeah, so? "But it's supposed to be closed!" Um...okay...so why don't you close it and stop wasting our time? LOL

However, he got to see a lot of Hamilton county, and he likes it a lot. We're hoping to find a place down there once we're a little more financially stable.