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The temperatures might have cooled, but criminal activity was ripe in southwest Mobile when I returned to 2^nd Precinct in October. A sergeant from the squad I rode with over the summer held the station door open while teasing me about abandoning his group for their counterpart. While I do enjoy return rides to familiar squads, it’s good to change perspectives from time to time.

Roll call was chill with a smattering of jokes and hopes that after their last two busy nights things might be slower on their final shift of the weekend. I was assigned to ride with Officer Crespo. As his first civilian ride along, I hope I made the task easy for him because he was a great host. Before Officer Crespo could pick up a water or patrol his area, dispatch sent him to 4^th Precinct to assist a traffic accident victim who requested a Spanish speaking officer to be sure nothing was lost in translation when she gave her statement in a second language. There are several MPD officers who are multi-lingual. Those needing assistance may ask for someone who can translate. The request might not be able to be accommodated, but MPD does their best to assist all those requesting or needing help. After all, their motto is “With Respect for Everyone.”

Besides a patrol of Officer Crespo’s regular beat, a traffic violation warning, and assorted calls, much of the night was spent in conjunction with two events that took place in different beats: a carjacking and a stabbing. For the carjacking, we first patrolled looking for the vehicle. Then Officer Crespo was sent to hold one side of the perimeter from where the vehicle was found while the squad waited for a K-9 unit to arrive. Even with the spotlights from the Tahoe shining, it was eerie on that dark street in front of an overgrown lot.

I never got to see the K-9 unit in action, but it was interesting to hear the chatter over the radio and be part of a perimeter for the first time. Once we were released from the perimeter duty, it was back to town for a brief patrol until we were sent towards Theodore for a welfare check call. After midnight, we joined a host of officers at the location of the stabbing. Officer Crespo got the latest news from the others who had been on the scene while he was assisting the carjacking search.

After more patrol time and a domestic violence call—and resulting paperwork—there was a stop by the precinct and then patrolling to look for the subject who had been identified on security cameras from the stabbing incident. He was known to several of the officers from previous activity in the area.

During the pre-dawn patrol hours in the litter-laden Tillman’s Corner area, it was disheartening to see the dozens of homeless people sleeping wherever they could. They were camped out on the front walks of businesses and stores—both vacant and in use—spooned together on blankets under the overhangs for anyone to see. There were a couple of people passed out behind the shopping centers too. I even saw a sleeping pallet being used in between the drive-thru lanes of a functioning bank. And that doesn’t include the countless people in the wooded areas that you only get a glimpse of their camps when you pass.

Often the police are blamed for the homeless, for not clearing them out because larger homeless populations can be accompanied with an increase in criminal activities such as vandalism, assault, theft, and drugs. I’ve witnessed those issues myself during my last three rides in the west Mobile precincts, but the police officers can’t ask people to leave if there are no posted “No Trespassing” or similar signs in the area. I can only imagine the blight and crime will get worse unless property owners seek to protect their investments and allow the police department to stop the loitering, trespassing, and accompanying litter. There are some great projects going on in the immediate area through community groups and the city, but they are contingent on the individuals accepting help. As mentioned in the previous article, Mobile’s Homeless Outreach Team is ready to assist. They can complete VA verification so qualifying individuals can receive benefits, help with temporary housing, assist with job finding, help with transportation for people trying to get home, connect with mental health care workers, and issue state IDs.

Thanks, Officer Crespo and the rest of the squad in 2^nd Precinct for bringing me along on an enlightening night of patrol. Here’s to hoping the new year rings in safely for everyone.