We received an e-mail from the agent about the “aanvullende declaratie aangifte” and replied that we wanted to add the vergiftigingen to the geweld diefstal.  About 30 minutes later we had a police Wijkagent at our door. He said that the agent had sent him over. I find it rude that after months of trying to make contact, and being provided with all contact information, that an agent just shows up at our door unannounced and without an appointment. We were in the middle of doing care needs, and it was completely inconvenient.

He reviewed what he knew about the other case and said that the “vergiftigingen” (poisoning of the dogs)  is completely separate. I let him know that we really think that they are coupled and he said that it was “niet mogelijk” (not possible). I made no efforts to hide that I found the whole situation shocking that the police do nothing about a case of violence that there is a big chance is connected to another case of violence. I made clear that we think we were being threatened and do not feel safe and the most logical explanation for the poisoning was a threat with a clear motive for us to not take further action.

I thought he was going to then do an “aangifte for verneilen” (declaration of destruction). That is not what we wanted, but it was better than nothing. I started to tell him what happened with the poisonings. He did not want to know. He sad there was no suspect and unless we saw the person doing it, or we had evidence, there was nothing that could be done. I said we have evidence of the poison and maybe they can find fingerprints on it and I showed it to him. He said that was “niet mogelijk”.  He said that we could have put the poison there or a bird could have brought it or someone else could have  put it there.

I said that if they search his [the caregivers] house and auto maybe they can find evidence of the reported from toxicology — again “niet mogelijk”. I said that they could question the neigbours to see if anyone had used rat poison — again “niet mogelijk”. He said that because they are illegal, nobody would admit to it. I said what if someone had done it legally, like a farmer or someone having a professional do it, they would not be afraid to tell them — again “niet mogelijk”.

He even had the nerve to say something about it being too late now because it happened so long ago. I was waiting for this, and explained how we had tried since 4 December to get the police to file a complaint and that each time we were told something different and ultimately that we had to have toxicology done and pay for it ourselves. Clearly there is no point to do toxicology testing if they don’t do anything about it anyway.

I asked what they were prepared to do, and basically, the answer is the police will do nothing. I stayed calm with him but firm, and retorted every time he tried to make it sound like they were doing something, when in fact they were doing nothing. I was friendly, but confronting. I held firm about making him admit that they were taking no action and enjoyed watching him squirm each time he had to admit they are not taking any action when he would make another worthless statement about being there to help.

I really feel like the police here like to dress up in their little cop uniforms and then do absolutely nothing about any real policing. I also let him know that we were talking to the media about this situation. I asked the agent what it he expects us to do and if we could get a protection order “straatverbod/gebiedsverbod”. He said to call “112” if anything happens and to install camera’s outside. Wow, very helpful. We know that the police take at least 45 minutes to respond, regardless of the situation.

I said that I want to put in a written complaint either way. He said I have to do that at www.politie.nl. I will be filling out the report, even though I am sure nothing will happen with it.