This story really warms my heart. No, really, I'm serious. It would have been tragically different here, with the boy in handcuffs in the back of the police car, or worse. Policing can be different. Not in this society -- not yet. Not in a system that depends on division and exploitation. Not where money is king and power is white. But we can do better. We are already doing better, just not enough. I'm going to keep building. Thanks for your company along the way.
New Zealand police confirm
toys are cool
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - An emergency call made by a 4-year-old New Zealand boy asking for police to come over and check out his toys prompted a real-life callout and confirmation from an officer that the toys were, indeed, pretty cool.
Police shared audio of the call on social media this week along with a photo of the smiling boy sitting on the hood of a patrol cruiser, noting that while they don't encourage children to call the emergency number, the incident was ''too cute not to share.''
The call begins all business: ''This is police, where is the emergency?''
There's a pause as the unidentified boy hesitantly says, ''Hi,'' and then ''Police lady?''
''Yes,'' the dispatcher says, switching to a friendlier, singsong tone. ''What's going on?''
''Um, can I tell you something?'' the boy asks, and after being told he can, says ''I've got some toys for you.''
''You've got some toys for me?'' says the dispatcher.
''Yep. Come over and see them,'' the boy replies.
A man then gets on the phone confirming the call was a mistake, saying the 4-year-old had been helping out while his mother was sick.
A police dispatch call then goes out, giving the address: ''There is a 4-year-old there who is wanting to show police his toys, over.''
''Yeah, I'm one-up, I'll attend to,'' responds an officer.
