Squad cars shouldn't wait on the median

On Aug. 22 at about 10 p.m., I was traveling westbound on Lake-Cook Road between Skokie Valley Road and Northbrook Mall. I noticed a cop car sitting in the median (between eastbound/westbound traffic) with all lights off. I found this extremely dangerous and called the Northbrook nonemergency contact number to report it. After explaining what I observed, I was transferred to the watch commander, or whatever his title is. He immediately brushed this off, stating that "all of our officers have been trained for safety and blah, blah, blah."

I really feel this was such an inadequate response and a dangerous statement to make. This gentleman needs his head examined! Apparently, he's never heard of the several state troopers who got blindsided when they had their lights on and were helping someone fix a flat or whatever - and did not return home to their families after their shift ended.

So, I guess all Northbrook officers - and only they - are trained to immediately jump out and run for cover when someone hits them from behind, pushing them head-on into oncoming traffic. Not only is this indeed a very dangerous approach to traffic safety, but it additionally jeopardizes the lives of any/all travelers.

Such a lack of consideration of what potentially could happen puts us all in harm's way. I would hope that the Northbrook police re-evaluate their training and safety practices. I, for one, will be finding a different route - around - instead of through Northbrook when I travel during the evening. Especially now as the cold, dark months approach with icy, slippery roads.

Kevin Farrell

Wheeling