Letter: What happened to 'serve and protect'?

My wife and I reside in an apartment building in the southwest part of Fargo. On Saturday, May 14, we had a bit of a situation.

We heard a loud bang and people shouting outside. There was also a loud party going on in the apartment just above us. I looked through our front window and saw nothing unusual.

The following morning we were greeted by a shattered kitchen window. Naturally, my first thought was to call Fargo Police. When I called the dispatch center, instead of sending an officer over to investigate, the dispatcher on the phone told us that we had to file an online report, which has been done.

I understand that the police department is short staffed, but I thought when a resident requests police assistance, then an officer is dispatched as quickly as possible. I guess damage to property is no longer a priority for the police department.

As a taxpayer, I am very concerned about this lack of service. I guess the police officer’s motto "to serve and to protect" no longer applies.

Clarence F. “Rick” Olson lives in Fargo.

This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.