A most disturbing story...

[PCIntern]

I'm going to be deliberately vague here...since you never know who reads this site.

A college friend of mine, with whom I have kept in touch all these years, called me yesterday, very upset. He is a professional in a major metropolitan area. It seems that an individual who was 'of record' came into his office some days ago and made an appointment to see him. After he had made the appointment, he went on a tirade about this professional individual and his profession itself and how they were all theives and Nazis and deliberately gouged people in all sorts of ways. He then left the office. Yesterday, a secretary called this individual in order to confirm the appointment and received a lengthy earful of how, since the HCR had passed, the socialist nazis(!) were taking over the country, etc. The call was said to be laced with expletives.

Now my friend is a sensitive fellow, and he called this person back to ascertain exactly what the problem was, without realizing that there was quite possibly a major psychotic episode in progress here. The individual in question stated that he was coming over to kill the professional and hung up.

My friend called the police who refused to take a report...when he stated that this was the first time that this had happened in over 30 years, the officer stated, "then you've had a pretty good run there." and excused himself and hung up.

My friend cannot sleep, he does NOT carry a weapon and is not physically inposing. I told him what I do for self-defense but he is afraid to possess such things. He is a pacifist at heart, and this is most distressing. He is really scared to death and I told him to go back to the police and insist upon being taken seriously.

This is but a small example I'm certain of what is going on now that the fringe has been exhorted to kill and rampage. God help us all.

[LeftinOH]

1. Sounds like a direct threat has been made; hopefully your friend records these calls

-if not for the police, then for a possible restraining order.

[bobbolink]

5. Unfortunately, as we abused women know, restraining orders aren't worth the paper they are printed

on.

This is very scary and distressing, but I will remind all of you that this is exactly what homeless people have been subject to all over the nation for years now.

As we dirtyhippiecommiepinkobums used to say, "The war is coming home."

[PCIntern]

11. I was thinking that myself...

[bobbolink]

14. Which part of what I said were you thinking...

Is that sentence decipherable?

[PCIntern]

16. not worth the paper...

since you're dealing with an irrational (fill-in-the-blank)...WTF do they care what's written down?

[caseycoon]

13. AMEN! n/t

[Poll_Blind]

2. Have him go down to the police station in person to file a complaint and...

...(possibly) speak with a detective. Just because some douche who answers the phone isn't acting doesn't mean that's the end of turning to law enforcement to get this (at least) documented.

Have him get a case number so he can refer to it when calling in, in the future.

PB

[Warpy]

10. That was my advice, as well

because when you show up in person, they're a lot less likely to try to brush you off.

[prolesunited]

3. I would call the police back

and take it up the chain of command and go to the media if they refuse to take action.

[PCIntern]

6. I believe that he's doing this...

and he called his lawyer to find out what else he can do.

He is, as I would be, scared, b/c this giy seems to have fixated upon him. They make movies about these things.

[Beetwasher]

8. I'm Glad He's Calling His Lawyer That's The Right Move

The lawyer will handle this or be able to refer him to a specialist in this area.

[petersjo02]

4. He may want to talk to the local media.

Sometimes when stuff like this gets a public airing, the cops will finally step up and do the right thing.

[Beetwasher]

7. He Should Insist The Police Take It Seriously, He Should Consult An Attorney IMMEDIATELY AND He

should consider going public with his story. But he should immediately get an attorney involved.

[JuniperLea]

9. Too bad he doesn't live in California...

The 5 Elements of a Criminal or Terrorist Threats

California Penal Code Section 422

1 - The accused willfully threatened to unlawfully kill or unlawfully inflict great bodily injury on another person

2 - The accused made the threat with the specific intent that it be taken as a threat

3 - The threat is so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific as to convey a gravity of purpose and the immediate prospect of execution (the person was very clear and specific about carrying out the threat)

4 - The threat actually caused sustained fear in the victim (for "a period of time that extends beyond what is momentary, fleeting, or transitory")

5 - The sustained fear was reasonable

[PCIntern]

12. I'll send this to him...thanks!

There may be similar statutes in his state...

[JuniperLea]

18. I hope so!

It can be charged as a felony in CA...

[kestrel91316]

15. If any client of mine pulled this sort of crap I would:

1) Personally call to cancel the appointment and say I am sure said client would be very happy elsewhere since he doesn't like ME, so please seek care elsewhere and do not come in, records will be mailed.

2) Photocopy and mail records to client.

3) Call police to report abuse/harrassment/threat. Consider getting restraining order against client.

Anybody who gets abusive with me gets the boot. I don't take crap. I've only had to divorce 3 clients in 18 years, and thankfully none of them seemed violent but i don't take chances. It starts AND ENDS with verbal abuse.

[PCIntern]

17. I agree with you and I have fired just a few patients BUT

only one person ever threatened me, and I just asked him, "OK, do you want a shot at the title?" He just stopped dead in his tracks.

gutsy move, he might have gone off. And an unrestrained lunatic does not pull his punches. It's easy to get hurt badly fast.

[unblock]

19. the police may not investigate, but they have no excuse not to take a report.

the police took a report when i LOST my wedding band because my insurance company woudldn't process my claim until i was on record saying i was NOT involved in any crime that might have taken place.

if they'll take a report for that sort of thing, they'll take a report for a threat of murder.


now, whether or not they can do anything about it is another matter. as pointed out upstream, a report is worth little prior to overt violence. only after overt violence has occured can a report really be useful in providing the police with a short list of suspects.

[PCIntern]

20. Ed Zachary what I told him. n/t

[Nay]

21. First, when he goes to the cops to make a report, he needs to take the

secretary with him to confirm what was said to her on the phone, and whatever she may have overheard or seen when the client actually was in the office (could she hear yelling? Did he stomp out in a fury? etc.). At the police station, ask for a higher-up--sergeant, or detective if possible.

Then, he needs to go to the nearest sports shop or police supply place and get some legal OC spray to carry with him at all times.

[PCIntern]

22. told him about the spray yesterday...

I carry something else as well. Works almost instantly...no going back or self-recriminations allowed however if used.

[PCIntern]

23. JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE...

His 'lawyer' told him to note the record of the individual and send him a letter 'dismissing' him.

I told him to get another lawyer.

the first thought which came to my mind: "A sternly-worded letter!" Yeah, that'll do the trick!

[Bluenorthwest]

24. In all seriousness

The police act after the fact. In some professions, you have to on occasion think about using private security, a body guard if you will. It is not cheap. But for a time, for peace of mind, and for the sake of the office staff, it is something to consider. Any major city will have services available. It is not fun to feel that threat. If that option is open, it might be considered. I have had to deal with such things myself. You do what you have to do, and if you don't have a tough cousin on call, you pay a service, like you would if a pipe burst.
Just a thought.

[PCIntern]

25. In South Philly,

you just have to make one phone call...the person involved would not think of acting after the kind of conversation which would be had. Unless they were like the alec Baldwin character in "The Juror".