Vent Who do I call?

NotJUSTamom · Dec 6, 2008

Who do I call (if there IS anyone to call) to report an unrestrained child? I have seen SO much improper use and/or lack of use that is this (i.e forward facing infant carriers, 18mo on the drivers lab/standing up in the front passenger seat, 2 year olds in boosters..you get the picture..Who can I calll? Do i give the license plate number? How would the police even catch them? Is it worth it to call? I'm just so tired of people not caring! Oh, and a few days ago when I took Kennedy to the doctors office there was a child car safety pamphlet near the check out desk that was totaly outdated. Are there any pre-made phamplets on the internet that I could print out/copy and put them out there?? The reason for this random wanting to call police post is this past evening at Kroger I wanted to throw up when I saw the way these kids were restrained. Toddler in front seat and get this..I SAW AN INFANT CARRIER BUCKLED IN LIKE A BOOSTER SEAT WITH AN OLDER BABY IN IT! AHHHHH! That was the last straw.. WHO DO I CALL??? Will the police even care?

BookMama · Dec 6, 2008

In Michigan? Good luck. I've never heard of anyone successfully calling the police on someone for child restraint misuse (or non-restraint). I suppose it can depend on what specific area you're in, but ...

Edited to add: Actually, I would call your local police station's non-emergency number and ask them who you can call.

NotJUSTamom · Dec 6, 2008

BookMama said:
In Michigan? Good luck. I've never heard of anyone successfully calling the police on someone for child restraint misuse (or non-restraint). I suppose it can depend on what specific area you're in, but ...

Edited to add: Actually, I would call your local police station's non-emergency number and ask them who you can call.

Yea I figured I really wouldn't really have much luck. I actually had the police over at my house years ago for a terrible neighbor when Addison was maybe 5..She was playing around in the car in the front seat saying Mommyyy can I sit up front with you? When I said no the cop says..Oh she can, she just needs to sit on a phonebook!!!

So, yes I agree with you. The police here don't really seem to care all that much, but it's worth a shot. I am still surprised that the 4'9 law passed here. I wonder how many cops actually enforce that??

AtTheSouthDam · Dec 6, 2008

Ugh, I am sorry your cops don't care. I have called the cops, non emergancy number, several times for unrestrained children. I had a neighbor who put her two year old daughter in the back cab of a pick up, no child seat, and held her infant! They didn't even own a CRS! I couldn't take it anymore! Anyway, they transferred me to dispatch so I know the call went out.
I do feel bad that ICE was out the next day and the following week the house was empty... oops. I am pretty sure they were pulled over.

abacus2 · Dec 6, 2008

I think that most cops take completely unrestrained infants pretty seriously, but way too many people have absolutely no understanding of the dangers of misuse.

scatterbunny · Dec 6, 2008

I've always been told that totally unrestrained children are a true emergency, and it's been taken very seriously by the 911 operators I've interacted with, for the most part, and the two local cops I work with (that are certified CPSTs) agreed that it's an actual emergency, worthy of calling 911. I think it becomes more of a gray area when a restraint is being used (albeit improperly), and I just try to look the other way, unfortunately.

Vent Who do I call?

NotJUSTamom

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BookMama

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AtTheSouthDam

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