
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 27, 1990                   TAG: 9007270572
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

POLICE IGNORED LONG-DISABLED CAR

ON A RECENT Sunday afternoon, I was traveling through Roanoke on Interstate 581 when my car was suddenly disabled. I used my portable citizen's-band radio to call the police. I was told by a female voice, identifying herself as Valley Metro, that she would call the State Police.

A few moments later, she told me the State Police would send assistance as soon as they could. Within several minutes, two or three local police cars passed by. I assumed they had heard the transaction and knew help was on the way.

Being a female alone, I turned down the offer of a ride from two men. As the dispatcher had reminded me, "be careful, not everyone out there is your friend."

Apparently that includes local police and sheriff's deputies. After sitting in my car for one hour and 45 minutes, I did see a police car and a sheriff's car in the opposite lane. I waved my hand. The local police hit his brakes and looked, but never returned.

After I had sat in my car for 2 1/2 hours, a state policeman finally stopped. I realize the police have plenty to do and stay busy. However, waiting 2 1/2 hours beside a busy highway is inexcusable. It took the officer who helped me less than 10 minutes to get me to a service station with a phone!

We are continually warned against accepting rides from strangers, yet given no alternative. Perhaps a courtesy car with a radio to contact help is one answer. It could be manned by volunteers on those busy weekends when the police have other things to attend to.

\ MRS. L.P. REHNBORG\ ROCKY MOUNT

by CNB