Korean Job Discussion Forums

Angrycareb · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Location: Wifi Monkey Land

Halloween night i got thumped on pretty hard in front of my building. the cops came and took me to the police station where i was told to empty my pockets. they went through everything and one guy picked my digital camera saying, "Oooo dica!" and that was the last time i saw the camera because my gf showed up and we all went to the bigger police station together. many hours and statements later, i started asking if i could have my camera back. first we were told they had to find it, then when we went back to the first police station this afternoon, they insisted i never had a camera. but i insisted i did, so they told us to come back tomorrow night when the same duty chief who was there when i was brought in would be back and i could talk to him.

now, the question: what is the best way to go about getting the camera back tomorrow night??

how important is this? it's my low-end digital camera. it's full of images i want like of Halloween, my students, pretty things, etc. i use it to maintain a daily photography project. i could live without the camera, if it came to that, but i can't afford to replace it right now, so i'd really like it back with all the images.

the camera itself is a 5 mega pixel Pentax Optio 5. it's over a year old and the memory card inside it is probably worth more dough than the camera itself now.

any thoughts?

Red · Joined: 05 Jul 2004

Given the near gangsters the cops are here, I'd say your best bet is to save some money and buy a new one.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I'd think your best bet would be to download a picture of the camera from a catalog to take with you. Have your girlfriend firmly, but politely, insist that you had it with you. Suggest it has been 'misplaced' in the station. Keep a smile on your face. Leave your phone number for them to call when they 'find' it.

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

Find out the contact information for the anti-corruption branch of the government and file a complaint.

Hind sight being what it is, you should have asked/taken the names of the police in attendance when you were asked to empty your pockets.

Did you have an interpreter? Were you taken in as a suspect in a crime? Otherwise there should have not been any reason for you to empty your pockets. CYA my friend and contact the anti-corruption people ASAP.

Cheers and good luck with finding your camera.

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:25 pm Post subject:

Why did you get 'thumped on'?

I suggest you post a message at www.efl-law.com , as they seem to know some contact number for higher-ups in the police chain.

Angrycareb · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Location: Wifi Monkey Land

why did i 'get thumped on'?

that's a really good question and here's my really good answer: i'm a foreigner.

not only that, on Halloween night i was a foreigner dressed like a goldfish going in & out of the building in which i live and a man took it upon himself to correct my behavior by getting in my face and trying to engage me in a fight. i ignored him completely even when he claimed to be a police officer and swatted my mask [a giant fish-looking head-dress with fins] off my head. when i still didn't respond to his badgering, he pinned me on the ground and punched me in the face. when i couldn't get him off of me cause he is almost double my weight, i fought back by biting his arm, which earned me a thumping on my face. when i saw how much blood was on my shirt and the pavement and that i was not strong enough to get this man off of me, i began to shout '112!' and '119!' in korean, which brought the neighbors out and the police. this man, seeing the police coming tried to flee, but i had a firm grip on his jacket and wouldn't let go, so naturally, he punched me many more times in the face and even bit my finger to make me let go--which i never did. eventually the man had to flee the scene without his jacket. the police came and took me to the station where i was forced [not so polite, but firm and loud insisting] to empty my pockets.

i was in no position with a swollen and blood covered face to know or be cognizant of proper police procedure. i only knew that i needed ice and they wouldn't let me go across the street and buy some, that's when i called my girlfriend.

i can do one better than a picture of the camera, i have the manual and a description of everything on it including the start up image which is difficult to delete.

i don't want to make waves, i just want to go back to living peacefully and teaching my kids. in America, there's a saying, "If you're not cop, you're little people." i have a feeling this is the same in Korea as well.

Red · Joined: 05 Jul 2004

Angrycareb · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Location: Wifi Monkey Land

the police chief was very nice this evening. he recognized me and knew what to get when we asked for the camera. he told us lots of nice things, like how the guy who hit me told them that he was happily walking down the street when i jumped out and started biting him. the chief said that he got really suspicious when the guy's hands were as covered in blood as my face was. after he walked us out, we went to the store and bought a big case of vita500 for them. they liked that.

i've encountered many doctors, dentists, nurses, secretaries, and police officers since this happened and this chief was one of three people that actually gave a crap about what happened, asked if i was okay, and apologized for it happening.

not that i needed anyone to do those things, but it is better than the other popular response which was like 'so what, you're just a foreigner.'

tonight's experience has greatly lifted my opinion of the local police.

fancypants · Joined: 22 May 2005

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

Things turned out well. The other guy though went into the police station to file a complaint about you. It doesn't matter who started the fight. If your injuries are greater than his you would be considered the victim anyway.

If the police have that dude's information, why don't you sue him for your medical expenses at least? A million or 2 from the guy who beat you should ease the pain Very Happy

Cheers!

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

that sucks Angrycareb, I'm very glad something out of the story turned out well in the end though.

nicknack · Joined: 27 Oct 2005

I understand that the ajashi was out of line when he got violent. It wasn't right to beat on you, I guess. but, I have to say that I have some genuine sympathy for the guy.

I really frea**n hate goldfish.