I blame the system. The police knew she was in danger! Why not do more?

Question

Story Highlights• NEW: Woman had restraining order against suspected killer, police say
• NEW: Victim identified by colleagues as Rebecca Griego, 26
• Two bodies, weapon found in office on the fourth floor of Gould Hall
• Co-worker said woman asked friends to watch out for her former boyfrien

I do not blame the police, and yet they are the ones we must turn to at such times. I agree that they are limited. So how does it get FIXED. Restraining orders are not nearly enough, since it is only those not truly dangerous who seem to obey them. We need more than restraining orders. My question is not really to lay blame. Any good ideas?

How can police truly serve and PROTECT at such times if the very system they serve holds them back?

I knew a woman who had to sleep with a gun under her pillow and shoot her stalker to save her own life. He was in her bedroom while she was sleeping! If her cat hadn't fidgeted she would be dead.

Answer 1

L-A-W-Y-E-R-S

I work with them all the time and they'd pass a law or set a precident knowing full well that someone's life may be in danger because of it. Just talk to a cop and ask them what they think about lawyers...or who has been the biggest hindrance to them in doing their jobs. They'll agree with me.

Lawyers are all about power and influence...Some lawyer will hear about this story and put his feet up on a desk and just grin.

And justice??? Bah!

Answer 2

The problem w/RESTRAINING ORDERS is that the majority involve persons closely connected; married,lovers,partners.I don't have statistics,but would bet that in many cases those who obtained the "order"and afterward are assaulted, abused or murdered,... are the ones that VOLUNTARILY permited entry! It apparently is very difficult for those who have a history of a torrid relationship, to be disciplined enough to call the police when an order is violated..instead they listen to the pleadings of the restrained person who is at their door...and they permit entry...A simple analogy is what happens repeatedly to women subjected to physical and mental violence....they call the police who upon arrival determine what occurred, and then ask the woman if she wants to file/sign a complaint so that the abuser can be arrested and jailed...Too many ,will not sign the complaint..and as history supports, the woman invariably is abused, again and again..Another analogy is when women seek divorce,and are awarded alimony and child support...the ex in many cases fails to comply, either being late w/payments, making partial payments, or none at all...Many women accept the excuses, etc.,..and then don't hesitate to demean the ex at every opportunity..No system is perfect, which is why those who require protection must be ready to abide by the rules with out exceptions..

Answer 3

The police are limited in what they can do. They can't just arrest people because they "might" be a threat to someone. They have to have evidence that a crime was committed before they can arrest people, or it would be a violation of their rights. A restraining order can be obtained with far less proof than an arrest order. It stinks, but it really isn't their fault. The blame lies solely on the perpetrator and any of his close family members who might have known that he needed to be held on a mental health hold and didn't make it happen.

Answer 4

Yes well if the courts would do their job and put these people away when they violate a restraining order it would help. Everyone knows the restraining order will not protect the woman but if this guy violates it then he should be put in jail.
This one more example of our inability to control our human emotions, why domestic violence is so rampant in our society. One woman dies every 5 seconds from domestic violence-so this is a sad story but hardly anything new.

Answer 5

The really sad thing is that it happens every day. I once had a restraining order against my ex-boyfriend. He was picked up after violating it, then let loose. It never stopped him. I finally had to move to feel safe.

Answer 6

It's simple . The logo that police used to go by was , to serve and protect. no no no, not any more it's , lets pull over who ever looks like they can pay a fine for some cornball technicality and see how much money we can get out of them. Reality folks reality.

Answer 7

Yes it sounds like a problem with the law-making. I have known a few cops and they have their biggest frustrations for this very reason.

Answer 8

dont know the details, maybe there wasnt enough against the guy to do more.