Had a terrifying incident last night. The squatter somehow turned off my electricity just after dark. I was TERRIFIED. I was completely disconnected from ANY help, as my telephone is dependent upon electricity. I do not own a cell phone. All of a sudden, no electricity, complete darkness and I'm living in the middle of a scary ghetto. I locked all windows/doors and quickly walked up the street to where (thank God) my co-worker and friend lives. I used her phone to call the police and she so kindly insisted that I keep her cell phone overnight. She gave me candles.

The police took one and one-half hours to arrive. When they came (two young men) they were completely unhelpful. They were disinterested and both had their mouths full of chewing tobacco...several times when I was speaking they spit on the sidewalk. It was disgusting. They left me with no electricity, said they'd cruise around and see if they saw the squatter and would return to check with me. They never returned. Shame, shame on the police.

I am spending the afternoon tomorrow searching for an apartment, but am so, so afraid the man will let my elderly, indoor cats out.

I am terrorized and there is no help from the police department in this absurd state.