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Opinion: New West police left me on hold forever. That is so frustrating

Editor: Last Friday, Sept. 20, about 6 p.m., I walked out of the Walmart store at 8th Street and 6th Avenue. I noticed a purse hanging on the bus stop seat.
New Westminster police

Editor:

Last Friday, Sept. 20, about 6 p.m., I walked out of the Walmart store at 8th Street and 6th Avenue. 

I noticed a purse hanging on the bus stop seat. 

So as a good citizen, I phoned the non-emergency phone number for the New Westminster Police Department. After waiting for over 25 minutes on hold, I finally got so fed up I hung up. I waited for about five minutes before calling back, with the same result and no response whatsoever.

I then had to go to a meeting.

After 8 p.m., I again phoned the non-emergency New Westminster police number with the same result. 

I live in Burnaby, so I again phoned this number. Again no result.

By this time I was totally pissed off as I feel this lady needed her purse.

I did find a phone number inside and I called. After about 1/2 hour of explaining what had happened, I found out the wallet with ID debit card, bus pass belonged to a lady who was over the age of 80. The person I contacted, her son, spent money for a cab going both ways to receive the purse.

As for the New Westminster police non-emergency number, shame on you. What do the taxpayers pay your salary for?

Angered and concerned for others.

J. Mills, Burnaby