Hello everyone.  I have been working for the police department for four months now and there are certain things I notice that seem to cause numerous people numerous problems so in my spirit of helpfulness and love I thought I would share some tips. 

Okay, number one.  Know your license plate.  Memorize it.  Or write it down.  Even better write down the license plates of everyone you love - your husband, wife, son, daughter, mom, dad etc.  The reason is that if someone does not return as expected and you need to file a missing person report, the officers really need the license plate.  I can't believe how many people think we can locate a person or vehicle with random markings.  An officer is going to have a hard time identifying a red truck with a for sale sign in the window or a black car with a bear paw decal, duh people?  So then I stop and think and realize that, I didn't know my license plate number.  Ummm....ooops.  I would probably be one of those people going well there's a football decal on the back window that says #7. 

Also write down everyone's contact numbers.  This happens all the time.  Someone's cell phone is lost or stolen.  Or even if they are calling me on their cell phone and they cannot give me anyone's numbers.  "I just push "Jr" on the phone, I don't actually know his number"  Hey there are a bunch of people who don't even know there own cell phone numbers.  Write down your important contact numbers and put it somewhere you can find it.

I know we are an extemely casual society but please people KNOW YOUR KID'S FRIENDS LAST NAMES.   Even better know their names, their parents names, the friend's phone numbers, the parent's phone numbers and an actual street address.  I have to do runaway reports all the time and it is so extemely rare that someone actually knows anything but the first name of the friend that the kid is supposed to be with.  Knowledge is power and there may come a time when it really matters. 

That's it for today.  More later.