Doc
08-17-2012, 03:48 PM
Yesterday @ 9:00 am I had an appt with a new client, first time in the door. Was sent to us by a "rescue organization" that is designed to help people in need to care for their pets. This particular dog was diagnosed with bone cancer and owner was going to have euthanized. Rescue has agree to cover cost for tx. Anyway...
So owner comes in on Thurs am, when she arrives we call her previous vet for records (this at 8:45). We put her, her son and the dog in an exam room and I head in. After about 10 minutes of going over what our plan is I hear a knock on the door and my receptionist informs me the police are here and want to talk to the client. Mrs ###### exits the room and about 20 seconds later the receptionist knocks on the door again and informs me they are arresting the lady, right in my waiting room. So I go out front to find out what is going on. 2 officers are there and they have the lady cuffed and up against the wall. I ask the officer what is going on and am given the answer of "we are arresting her for petty theft". Well I have her son and dog so I ask why are they doing this now and I get a "do you want to join her?" look. They drag her ass outside and cram her in the squad car. Meanwhile I've had TWO clients walk out the door as this is going down (wouldn't you if you were at the veterinarian and somebody was being arrested in the waiting room?)
So I proceed to call the Stuart Police dept to get the scoop on why somebody was arrested in my waiting room, to find out why they did it in my waiting room rather than outside or in an exam room, and to find out how they knew this lady was here. Finally got the detective on the phone....seems the lady worked at the clinic that faxed the records. While there she pilfered some controlled drugs so the vet contacted the police (this is exactly the right move since it was a controlled drug, he must do per his DEA license). Seems when we called for the records at 8:45, they contacted the police who came right over to bust her.
Now comes my issues. First, as a professional, should I have expected the vet down the road who's office people contacted the police to have called me and given me a heads up? Should I have expected the police to at least considered my business and clients when they arrested her and done it in a manner so as not to upset my business? Should the detective have contacted me and given me a heads up just prior to this going down? I understand the police deal with scumbags (I told this to the detective) and they have no idea if this lady is packing a weapon so I understand their desire to get it done quick but isn't it MORE LIKELY that innocent folks be injuried if that happens if the "take down" occurs in my waiting room?
I've not yet contacted the clinic down the road but am likely going to write a letter letting Dr X know that I don't appreciate his lack of respect for my business because that is how I see him allowing and facilitating an arrest in my waiting room. I'm also wondering about the legal end of the police doing this on my private property.
Opinions?
So owner comes in on Thurs am, when she arrives we call her previous vet for records (this at 8:45). We put her, her son and the dog in an exam room and I head in. After about 10 minutes of going over what our plan is I hear a knock on the door and my receptionist informs me the police are here and want to talk to the client. Mrs ###### exits the room and about 20 seconds later the receptionist knocks on the door again and informs me they are arresting the lady, right in my waiting room. So I go out front to find out what is going on. 2 officers are there and they have the lady cuffed and up against the wall. I ask the officer what is going on and am given the answer of "we are arresting her for petty theft". Well I have her son and dog so I ask why are they doing this now and I get a "do you want to join her?" look. They drag her ass outside and cram her in the squad car. Meanwhile I've had TWO clients walk out the door as this is going down (wouldn't you if you were at the veterinarian and somebody was being arrested in the waiting room?)
So I proceed to call the Stuart Police dept to get the scoop on why somebody was arrested in my waiting room, to find out why they did it in my waiting room rather than outside or in an exam room, and to find out how they knew this lady was here. Finally got the detective on the phone....seems the lady worked at the clinic that faxed the records. While there she pilfered some controlled drugs so the vet contacted the police (this is exactly the right move since it was a controlled drug, he must do per his DEA license). Seems when we called for the records at 8:45, they contacted the police who came right over to bust her.
Now comes my issues. First, as a professional, should I have expected the vet down the road who's office people contacted the police to have called me and given me a heads up? Should I have expected the police to at least considered my business and clients when they arrested her and done it in a manner so as not to upset my business? Should the detective have contacted me and given me a heads up just prior to this going down? I understand the police deal with scumbags (I told this to the detective) and they have no idea if this lady is packing a weapon so I understand their desire to get it done quick but isn't it MORE LIKELY that innocent folks be injuried if that happens if the "take down" occurs in my waiting room?
I've not yet contacted the clinic down the road but am likely going to write a letter letting Dr X know that I don't appreciate his lack of respect for my business because that is how I see him allowing and facilitating an arrest in my waiting room. I'm also wondering about the legal end of the police doing this on my private property.
Opinions?