I was thinking that the first time I read this story Ammi - any time I've had to call the police at work, it's taken them hours (literally) to show up... and those have been serious incidents as otherwise I wouldn't bother at all.
Officer: "Hello, you called about a disturbance?"
Me: "Err yes there was a guy on the ground outside having the **** kicked out of him by 4 other guys... smashed bottles and bricks were involved."
Officer: "Well it looks quiet out there to me..."
Me: "I called nearly 2 hours ago
"
Though they DID show up at lightning speed when there was a guy outside with a SWORD, threatening the local teenagers (who were taunting him and winding him up... bloody mental)
. Van with 10 guys in full on riot gear appeared in minutes. It was awesome.