THUNDER BAY, ON - June 7, 2008 - IT‘S been a long 18 months and I am happy to say this ordeal is finally coming to a close. I would like to thank all of the citizens of Thunder Bay who showed their support through positive letters to the editor, phone calls and donations which have offset my legal expenses.

I have remained quiet the past 18 months, but would now like to make a few comments. First I would like to clarify a point made in Jim Kelly‘s article. He indicated I travelled through city streets at 100 km/h. Not once in court or on the 911 tape did I indicate I was travelling at this speed on city streets. At one point when the stolen vehicle was on Oliver Road, I did state the vehicle was way ahead of me and was travelling at least 100 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. I did, however, admit to travelling 100 km/h while on the Thunder Bay Expressway, with the stolen vehicle travelling approximately 140 km/h.

Some may have thought I took the law into my own hands. I was only trying to aid police in catching yet another set of criminals in our city. Was I frustrated? Absolutely, and with good reason. Only six months prior, two neighbourhood kids stole another vehicle from our property. In that incident, even when the thieves admitted to stealing and damaging the vehicle to the tune of $6,000, police did nothing. Why? Police indicated they needed to catch the criminals in the act to lay charges.

I recently read an article in the Globe and Mail where a person in California did the same thing I had done – called 911 and assisted police in tracking a vehicle. She was awarded a citation for bravery and helping the police.

So now with some unfortunate experience to reflect on when put in a similar situation, I acted to help police catch the criminals.

What happened this time? Nothing, again. The individuals were arrested and released, spent no time in jail, did not receive a criminal record and used legal aid to cover their lawyers‘ bills. I, on the other hand, missed time from work, was placed on driving restrictions, spent the past 18 months thinking about this case and paid $6,000 on legal bills.

I do remain puzzled as to why at 5 a.m. one officer sat in his cruiser listening to the 911 call being broadcast over the police radio and chose to do nothing. In his testimony, the officer admitted to being only a couple of kilometres away and was just sitting and waiting for the stolen vehicle to come to him. While on the phone with the 911 operator, I kept asking her to send police and at no time did she state police were en route. All I kept thinking is, where are the police?

As much as I‘ve suffered, I think the public has paid the biggest price. Truly, it‘s been a waste of taxpayer dollars. I will admit, I may be leery should I ever need to call 911 again. 911 tapes can be used in court and used against you even when you are trying to do the right thing.

Do I hold a grudge against police? No, not at all. Actually several officers have been supportive throughout these months.

I‘m glad this whole ordeal is finally over and I can move on with my life. I would like to thank my lawyer David Dubinsky. He believed in my innocence from the beginning. Thank you, David.

Kim Blunt
Thunder Bay