The Frequent Flyer

Being one of the few clear cars, I am dispatched half way across the precinct to check on a man who has been sitting on a bus bench all day. Wreathed in a six pack of 211 tall cans, a frequent flyer has collapsed into himself on the bench. Crunchy bits of half chewed, half vomited, tortilla chips crusts his face, coats, and shirt. Multiple dried rings of urine, mark the last time the man has washed his pants.

I know him by name.

When roused, it takes time for his eyes loll open. Gravity being the greatest proof of intoxication, he cannot sit up let alone stand.

He tells me he prays for me, since I take care of him, and he can't take care of himself.

Another car rolls by at my request, and we get him into the car. A routine ride to the detox center is interrupted by my discovery of the flyers four outstanding warrants.

My reward for letting jail know I am bringing in one who cannot walk on his own and is covered in his own bodily fluids, is a refusal by the jail nurse.

The frequent flyer is too drunk for jail.

Because the man cannot be admitted for medical reasons, I have to inform my sergeant and call radio for an ambulance to transport him to the hospital.

The EMTs know him by name, and so do all the EMTs at the hospital as well as the hospital staff.

I babysit the man as he sobers up.

Six hours later, with a blood alcohol level that would kill you or me, the frequent flyer is discharged from the hospital and successfully lodged at jail. If I did not have the hospital release forms, I bet the jail nurse would have refused him.

Back at the barn, I am teased. Never check if a frequent flyer has warrants. Just take him to detox and be done with him.

Comments

[jason]

much more interesting then myspace.

[Jerry Ann]

They teased you, but isn't it *good* that you are so thorough in your job? :)

[RD]

This frequent flyer died this winter.
He was hit by a car.