The Poulsbo Police Department has my gratitude, after a sinister incident.

It was around 11 p.m. on Sept. 23. I had just driven in from Port Townsend and noticed that the fuel gauge’s red needle dipped toward the empty mark. I pulled into a station on Viking Way. A thin young man, in a blue hooded sweatshirt, eyed me in my Navy blazer, gray slacks and dress shoes. I paid cash for the fuel.

After leaving the station, I headed out onto Viking Way. A red car tailed me. Every time I turned, that car would follow. I pulled into the Post Office, and he pulled into the Bank of America parking lot. I drove around historic downtown Poulsbo twice, with the red car always half a block behind. Even at stop signs, the darkness obscured his license plate.

The circumstances precluded two choices. First of all, I had no intention of allowing this predator to follow my vehicle to my house. Secondly, only a suicidal fool would confront the new stalker.

I turned from Front Street onto 3rd Avenue and called the police from my cell. By the time I looked up again, the surveillance had ceased. The red car disappeared into the night.

Officer Shurick came to the rescue in his patrol car. I explained the situation to him, and he escorted me back to my home.

My cell phone, and past reading of crime-prevention books, certainly came in handy. I also won’t buy gas in the middle of the night again. But most of all, I must thank the Poulsbo police for helping me when I needed them.

Birke Duncan
Poulsbo