A Threat Was Reportedly Made to a CVS Pharmacist by a “disgruntled customer” over the Phone – What Should the proper Police Response be in today’s day and age?

“Dear PoPville,

A call was made by a disgruntled customer to the cvs pharmacy that they were going to come in a “find them and…”; I wasn’t on the call, obviously, and I don’t know what the threat was, but the pharmacist was threatened enough that she felt her life was in danger. She was so calm on the phone, asking for guidance w police who offered no help. She finally just said “I don’t know why to do, so I guess let’s just get this on record that it happened and I’m scared for my life. Take that down.” (Paraphrased)

She was very clearly in Shock and asking for help after a direct threat in a public place. All I could think was Virginia Beach, and no one ever sees this coming in their community and here we are warned and no one is doing anything, despite best practices- calling authorities and staying calm.

Maybe it was her calm demeanor that they didn’t take seriously but I could hear the fear in her voice and I saw her violently shaking. I waited until other clients left and asked if she was speaking to the police or corporate or what since I didn’t hear a plan or a resolution and I myself was scared. She told me she called the police and they were doing nothing, which made me feel unsafe as a customer in the space, where a direct threat had clearly been issued. I told her to call the police back and at least demand they send a uniformed officer to be a deterrent and armed presence with training to deescalate any actual threat.

Not sure what ended up happening, but even if this is a 10% chance (I have no clue what these odds are) why wouldn’t we take a direct threat seriously?! Glover park day is happening across the street, the potential for someone causing devastation is at a maximum.

It’s been a few hours and if anything I feel I under reacted, not over, advising that she request a uniform. This poor woman was in shock and the police department should have better protocol for dealing with these direct threats.”