Thank You Officer Sim

Often in the news and social media I read about negative experience with the police. While I in no way intend to discount or diminish anyone’s experience my intention here is to share an experience that I had recently that left me feeling enormous gratitude for the police in general and for one officer in particular, Officer Sim of Company G, Star # 1052. 

I recently moved into San Francisco city and getting around can be crowded and tough but my primary form of transportation is my OneWheel. I love that it uses very little energy and is quick, easy and enjoyable way to get around and run errands. The most efficient EV cars get 4 miles to the kWh and my OneWheel gets 25 miles to the kWh. 

Last week I went to the grocery store, the Safeway in Richmond, and locked my OneWheel to the bike rack right out front. After 45 min or so shopping I came outside to see that my OneWheel had been stolen. A witness was talking to the security guard explaining how a guy had cut the lock right in front of him and run off with it. The store had video right out front but clearly the thief was not concerned. It was upsetting and super brazen. I called the police to make a report and agreed with the dispatcher to meet the police officer at my house about a mile away. 

After “Ubering” home with my groceries I found that the officer had already arrived and was talking with my confused partner on the stairs of our house. She had no idea that my OneWheel had been stolen as less than 10 minutes had elapsed from my call to the police dispatcher and she was having an awkward confused conversation. Sorry dear. 

Officer Sim was professional, courteous and diligent in gathering all of the pertinent information. I had my board serial number in my records and provided it along with my statement, the witness information, and the store manager information so he could collect the surveillance video. Officer Sim was very empathetic and concerned that this had happened in broad daylight so brazenly. 

Officer Sim followed up with me and let me know that he collected the video evidence, met with the witness, and provided me the case number and contact information. So at this point I am thinking what a bummer. The police officer was professional, responsive and did his duty but my board is gone and my transportation cannot be the biggest priority of a police force in a major US city. 

A few hours later I got a text back from Officer Sim’s duty phone asking if I was free for a call. Apparently, in the course of his patrol, Officer Sim went looking for my One Wheel. He kept his eye open for it and went to look in the park and on the beach where occasionally stolen property gets abandoned. Officer Sim found my One Wheel abandoned on the beach. He checked the serial number against the one I had provided and brought the board back to me at my house. 

I will always feel gratitude towards Officer Sim for going above and beyond his duty and what was required of him to try to help. He did not have to do that, it is a credit to his integrity and character. I am thankful to the city for hiring officers like Officer Sim and I am thankful that Officer Sim is assigned to my neighborhood. I feel better knowing that conscientious, honest police like him are out there to watch over things.