Part 1
Introduction
Having your car stolen is a profound violation of your personal life and security, made even worse by the frustrating aftermath. As someone who lives with a disability and relies on a fixed income, the challenges are amplified. I've been living below the federal poverty line for most of my life and had always hoped that being the victim of a crime would mean getting support, not more hardship. But that's not what happened when my car was stolen on October 5th, 2024. Instead, I found myself caught in a maze of bureaucracy, re-victimized by county government workers and their policies. Having my vehicle impounded in the past due to car accidents was nothing compared to the ordeal of dealing with the Bellingham Police Department and their contracted towing companies. So far, this has cost me $2,800, with more charges looming.
In this blog, I'll share my experience navigating the Bellingham and Whatcom County justice system as a disabled victim without legal representation. I'll explore this case through a trauma-informed lens, considering both professional perspectives and my lived experience as someone fully disabled and dependent on SSA benefits and housing assistance. The challenges of limited mobility, reliance on public transport, and difficulty accessing resources create additional barriers to justice that I'll discuss throughout this series.
PLEASE NOTE:
• BPD: Bellingham Police Department/Officer
• Victim: Rana Courchaine, the Plaintiff/Appellant
• Thieves: Individuals caught on camera committing the theft of a motor vehicle
Timeline of Events
• October 2, 2024 (Late Evening): Just before 1 AM, I parked my 2002 yellow VW New Beetle Bug in my complex's unassigned parking area, which requires a gate and key fob access. I parked approximately 500 feet and 3-4 stories up from my apartment, within sight. This was after my usual rounds of visiting at least three grocery stores to stretch my tight budget.
• October 5, 2024 (Late Evening): Around 10:30 PM, I needed milk for the next morning. I headed out to my car, only to find it gone. Panic set in. I frantically searched the entire secured parking area, my heart pounding, but my car was nowhere to be found. Exhausted, in pain, and sobbing, I returned to my apartment and cried out to my partner, "My car is gone, oh my gawd, what am I going to do?" Through my tears, I dialed the non-emergency line for BPD to report the theft.
• Approx. 11 PM: Still crying and desperate, I called the non-emergency line again. The operator answered, and I reported my missing car, answering their questions through my sobs. They told me my vehicle had been recovered and gave me the tow yard details and case number. I asked to speak with an officer to report the theft, but the operator connected me to Officer Otto's line (the officer on the case) where I was told there was no voicemail and an officer would return my call.
• October 6, 2024, before 1 PM: Having not received a call back, I called the non-emergency line again, asking to make a report of the vehicle theft. The operator assured me that an officer would contact me.
• Before 2 PM: I received a call back on my cell phone. The officer informed me that since my vehicle had been recovered, nothing could be done unless I provided proof of the theft. I explained that the cost to retrieve my stolen vehicle was nearly $700.00, an impossible amount for me to pay, and that I risked losing my only means of transportation. The officer suggested I reach out to local resources for help but said there was nothing more he could do. He advised me to call back if I obtained proof of the theft. [ Include any specific quotes you remember from the officer that illustrate their dismissiveness. Did they express any empathy for your situation?]
• Sunday, October 6th through Thursday, October 10th, 2024: Knowing that the daily storage fees were adding up and I might lose my car forever, I was determined to hold the thieves accountable. I posted notices on our apartment's communication board, put up flyers in the elevators and entrances seeking video or comments from neighbors, posted everywhere on Facebook and FB groups, wrote emails, and visited nearby businesses asking for video footage from their cameras. [Describe the physical and emotional toll this took on you. Did you experience increased pain or fatigue? Did you feel overwhelmed or isolated?] I also began researching RCWs, local ordinances, and Google Scholar to educate myself on the subject and explore my options.
• Apartment Complex On-Site Manager: Later that Sunday, I received an email from my manager expressing her condolences and acknowledging my comment on the apartment communication board. She informed me that she would check the security cameras for any footage on Monday morning and get back to me.
o Rana's .02 cents worth: I was able to provide the exact date (10/02/2024) when I last left the complex, thanks to Google Maps via GPS tracking. Throughout my life, being able to provide factual data has been invaluable in encouraging others to respect my rights and aid me while seeking help.
• Monday, October 07, 2024: I received an email from the apartment manager confirming that she found footage of the incident. She informed me that the apartment cleaning crew had called the police after tagging my car for removal on October 5th. I arranged to meet her at the office to obtain the footage.
• Tuesday, October 08, 2024: I finally managed to visit the office and received the footage from my apartment manager. The footage was 10 and a half minutes long, capturing the parking lot and our locked front gate.
• Thursday, October 10th, 2024: I called the non-emergency line again to report my car theft, armed with the evidence I had gathered. Within two hours, I received a call back from an officer who sent me a link to upload my videos to AXON. I filed the theft report over the phone, but the officer informed me that the report would not be labeled as a theft since the vehicle was recovered. I expressed my frustration about being revictimized and now being careless, with no means to obtain another vehicle due to my low income. The officer apologized.
• Received Letters from Johnson Towing: Two letters arrived, informing me that my car was considered abandoned and would be auctioned on October 30th, 2024. If the auction didn't cover the costs incurred, my license would be suspended, and I would be held liable. I could retrieve my personal items until that date.
• WA DOL Letter
• October 20th, 2024: A friend tried to cheer me up and took me grocery shopping. She also gave me $20.00 and drove me to the Northwood Casino. A miracle occurred this night. I hit a jackpot from that $20.00 my friend gave me to forget my problems. Immediately after being cashed out by the casino, I called Johnston towing yard. A driver called back and told me he could meet me in the morning to make the payment and retrieve my vehicle. The total was $2,352.00.
• October 21, 2024, around 9 AM: My girlfriend gave me a ride to the tow yard, which was way out on Bakersfield Road and Meridian Avenue. [Add more detail about the location to emphasize its inaccessibility. Was it difficult to reach by public transport? Were there physical barriers that made it difficult for you to navigate?] With 9 days left until they auctioned my registered vehicle, which was valued at $5,000 and well-maintained, I paid $2,532.00 in cash. The documents were signed, I showed my license and retrieved my car.
STAY TUNED!!!!
Trauma-Informed Considerations
This experience has been incredibly traumatic, triggering feelings of powerlessness, vulnerability, and anger. [Expand on how the events specifically triggered past traumas or created new ones. Did you experience a sense of re-victimization? Did this situation erode your trust in authority figures?] The initial response from the police officers left me feeling dismissed and abandoned. Their lack of empathy and their refusal to even take a report without proof, when I was clearly in distress, was deeply invalidating. It felt like they were blaming me for being a victim. [Connect these considerations to the actions (or inaction) of the police, tow company, and other entities. How did their responses contribute to your trauma?]
This ordeal has also highlighted the systemic injustices faced by disabled people. The financial burden of the impound fees, the inaccessible location of the tow yard, and the lack of support from those who are supposed to protect and serve have all compounded the trauma of having my car stolen.
What Can You Do?
[Include a call to action. What do you want readers to do with this information?] Have you had similar experiences with the Bellingham Police Department or Whatcom County's justice system? Share your story in the comments below. Let's work together to demand change and ensure that disabled victims get the support and justice they deserve.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I'll discuss the financial and emotional impact of this experience and my ongoing fight for accountability.
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