Wasting taxpayer resources – is this a murder scene?

Wasting taxpayer resources – is this a murder scene?
The first scene

Last week, I wrote a blog post entitled The best way to start an US small business at US small business story. I met each Wednesday via Skype to talk about the business and technology ventures I wrote about.  At 7 PM CST on Wednesday, August 8,2012, the party I call Jay (i.e. all fictitious names) was unavailable.  Jay lives in the same condo building I do in Carol Stream, Illinois (USA).  I called and left a voice mail to join us, as well as a Skype text message.

The next day on Thursday, August 9, 2012, I followed up via email and copied the other person I call Ray on it.  Thursday went by without a response via phone, Skype, email or in-person.  It’s unusual for them not to show up.  If they had to be away, they would usually contact me.

On Friday, August 10, 2012, I sent a fax to the condo association.  I asked them to contact the emergency contact and ensure everything is OK, as they should have these numbers.  I got a call from the condo association manager informing me he contacted his sister.  His sister said he should be at home.

Handling the situation

About an hour later, I noticed a fire truck and ambulance show up.  They departed a few minutes later, with no sirens or alarms on.  I had to assume that Jay perhaps passed away.

Shortly afterwards, I noticed that 4 squad cars – three marked and one unmarked appeared on the scene.  Perhaps they thought this was a murder investigation?  Jay’s door was locked – no forced entry.  Nobody heard any gun shots. If they did, they would have informed neighbors and called the police.  I kept an eye on the squad cars.  The drivers stayed in their respective cars for about three or four hours.  The family members were also there.  After the time span elapsed, the cars all took off.

The next day I bumped into the family members.  I introduced myself to the sister, who was also a nurse.   She informed me that Jay was found bent over the bathtub.  A later autopsy fixed the cause as suffocation, but couldn’t explain why he couldn’t get up again.

College of DuPage

I have taken several classes over the years, from the College of DuPage (COD).  The courses have been in software engineering, philosophy, creative writing, literature and other disciplines.  In one class, an officer was presenting a project.  I asked the question, “what would the town of Mayberry do if they had a real murder?  Would they be able to secure help from the state police?”

The answer to the question was this: you could secure detectives from the Chicago police or the state.  Perhaps if the Carol Stream police thought a murder was committed, why not secure help from the Aurora police department?  They are very close and have much experience with gang killings.

So why have three marked and one unmarked squad car there for three to four hours, with the officers observed sitting in the car?

• Is this a good use of taxpayer dollars and resources?
• If you think a murder is committed, then you should secure the help of resources from either the Aurora or Chicago police homicide divisions.  Then you send in the proper resources to dust for fingerprints, interview residents, etc.

Summary

Perhaps the police department thought I was a murderer?  After all, I did report the problem to the property management company.  And I would be the most likely suspect on a typical TV crime show. I wonder if Inspector Jacques Clouseau would have handled things similarly?

But I have talked to Jay’s sister.  So far, the autopsy couldn’t pin when the death occurred.  They think it was on Tuesday, August 8, 2012.  But Ray and I noticed a database the three of us share was updated often on Wednesday, August 9, 2012.  We concluded it was on auto update.  I suggested the sister also have the computer examined.  In talking to a couple of computer experts I know, they mentioned:

• You can tell when the computer was turned on and off (see Yahoo answers)
• You can tell when an email was sent out.

The Carol Stream city council should tell the taxpayers of Carol Stream what was going on.  For me, a good friend and brilliant technology mind has died of natural causes.  I’ve been invited to and attended the Catholic memorial service.  And I will continue to work with the existing partner on the technology project.

Academic and business blog posts

Here are some blog posts I recommend from academic and business acquaintances of mine:

• Head Lice: Symptoms and Treatments Blog post
• A Nanny’s Guide to Packing for a Day trip Blog post
• Think Outside the Envelope for Your Next Party Invitation Blog post
• Employment Rights All Nannies Need to Know Blog post
• 7 Myths About Getting Old Blog post
• 10 Things Every Teacher Needs to Know About Emotions and Learning Blog post
• 5 Rules for Handling Hand Me Downs Blog post
• 8 Best Places to Study Besides the Library Blog post
• 5 Home Improvements That Don’t Add Value Blog post
• 8 Things You Should Never Say to Your Professor Blog post
• 8 Unexpected Ways to Promote Your Business Blog post
• Pros and Cons of Divorced Parents Sharing a Nanny Blog post
• 50 Impressive iPad Apps to Fuel Lifelong Learners Blog post
• Steps Nannies Can Take To Prevent Common Childhood Injuries Blog post
• What Nannies Need to Know About Bottle Prep Blog post
• How Parents Can Attract the Right Nanny for Their Family Blog post
• How to Make Your Own Tutu to Play Dress Up Blog post
• How to Organize Breast Milk Blog post
• 8 Reasons to Keep Your Live-In Nanny Out of a Spousal Dispute Blog post
• 11 Proven Benefits of Outdoor Learning Blog post
• 15 Facts About China’s Grueling College Entrance Exam Blog post
• 7 Ways To Cut Down On Your Daily Driving Blog post
• 14 Books You NEED to Read Before Pursuing a PhD Blog post
• 15 Reasons Reformers Are Looking to Finland Blog post
• 6 Things to Know When Starting a Record Label Blog post
• 7 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Major Blog post
• The Top 10 Happiness Experts of All Time Blog post
• The 10 Most Impressive Athletic Buildings in the NCAA Blog post
• How to Stop Siblings From Fighting Blog post
• How to Keep Baby Cool in the Summer Without AC Blog post
• Teaching Children Problem Solving Skills Blog post
• 30 Blogs Nannies Should Try for Discipline Ideas Blog post
• 10 U.S. Cities With the Best Alternative Medicine Blog post
• 10 Cities Becoming Education Destinations Blog post
• 6 Common Exercises That Are Actually Bad for You Blog post
• How to Sell Your Self-Education to Employers Blog post
• 9 Indisputable Reasons Offices Need Naptime Blog post
• 5 Ways to Find and Leverage Expert Bloggers Blog post
• How to Quit Smoking for Real Blog post
• How Nannies Can Build Care Giving Skills During Gaps in Employment Blog post
• The 10 Cleverest Back-to-School Promos Blog post
• 10 Ways Data Mining Will Transform Higher Ed Blog post
• 10 iPhone Applications for Moms on Bed rest Blog post
• 10 Things to Consider When Traveling Internationally with Your Charges Blog post
• How to Throw a First Birthday Party on a Budget Blog post
• 6 Ways to Keep Your Car From Being Stolen Blog post
• 10 Health Care Jobs Most Impacted by Obamacare Blog post
• A Newbie’s Guide to Microfinancing Blog post
• 30 Blogs Full of Kid-Friendly Crock-Pot Recipes Blog post
• 100 Inspiring Pinterest Pins for Back to School Blog post
• 30 Blogs for Creating a Safe Sleep Environment Blog post
• 20 Colleges Embracing the Green Roof Trend Blog post
• How to Remove Stains from Baby Clothes Blog post