Overhearing domestic abuse

[postfeminist]

Alrighty, so I just had to call the police given some very violent sounding noises and crying coming from an apartment in my complex, aaannd... I'm still kind of shaken up by it. I wanted to go and actually do something myself, but I'm quite small, and the guy in there probably has drug problems... he also thinks I'm his friend, disappointingly. I'd heard banging before, yelling, whatever, but this time there was... you hurt me... stop... crying... ya know? :/

So, I called the police...

Do you think I handled this situation well? How could I have done better? The police sound like they just showed up... >.>

And I guess, what might you have done as an individual/have done in the past?

EDIT: 911 protip: If possible use a land line, cellphones do not dial your local police directly (mine was out of area code, but I was told this once upon a time as well, regardless of area code).

Double EDIT: That's in the US, any pro tips about 911 in other countries would be good too... also, I'm pretty sure you can text/mms to 911 in the United States now as well.

[monk]

Even if you're bigger than the guy and can easily kick his ass you still call the police.

To make sure they show up quickly, you overplay the random noises you heard but be specific and honest about anything you hear them say since you might be called on later to testify and all 911 calls are recorded.

[postfeminist]

Even if you're bigger than the guy and can easily kick his ass you still call the police.

To make sure they show up quickly, you overplay the random noises you heard but be specific and honest about anything you hear them say since you might be called on later to testify and all 911 calls are recorded.

I was very descriptive, especially about the language I overheard... seemed to matter more than banging. They were here in the time it took me to type the post, which was a bit faster than I expected, honestly.

[lillerina]

Moved topic to advice, where I think this fits better.

[Tookie]

Write down everything, in as much detail as you can, in case you have to testify.

Landlines are also good because they can be traced immediately by the EMS responders. If you dial 911 on a landline and leave it off the hook, EMS will come. It takes ages, however, to trace a cell phone call.