The following is the text of the letter I just sent to the FBI. I phoned them this afternoon with a simple question concerning the stand-off in Oregon and was treated so rudely that I am pursuing the complaint through the FBI as well as my Congressional Office. When an American citizen cannot make a phone call to a law enforcement agency with a concern shared by both parties, then something is radically wrong. I was even cautioned to not call back today as it could lead to legal problems for me. My own thoughts are that the FBI would be better served if they were concentrating on events in Oregon rather than on me...
Robert S Williams
704-439-4431
980-721-1182
robertrswwilliams@yahoo.com
January 4, 2016
FBI Charlotte
7915 Microsoft Way
Charlotte, NC 28273
charlotte.fbi.gov
(704) 672-6100
Re: Complaint
To Whom It May Concern;
I called the Charlotte office of the FBI this afternoon at approximately 12:55 PM. I called 704-672-6100 and used Option #5. I was connected to a woman who did not identify herself. (I realize that this is probably standard procedure; although she should have provided an employee ID #.) I then asked my question, which was about what was being done about the situation in Oregon. She hung up.
I realize that most things cannot be discussed freely over the phone where criminal matters are involved and ongoing. I think I was looking for some re-assurance that the FBI was on the job pursuing justice in the matter at hand. A simple statement to that effect would have done the trick quite handily. Instead I was left feeling abused and a bit angry. I do, after all, pay for the FBI to operate. I don’t expect to be mistreated at the hands of someone who is essentially an employee.
I called back again and spoke with a man who said there were no women in the office. He then transferred me to the “merry go round” and I hung up. I called again- 704-672-611 option #5 and got the same woman who hung up on me in the first place. And you know what? She did it again, prompting me to call back a third time. Once again I got the man who said the woman did not exist. He again transferred me to the “merry go round” and I wound up with a woman who said she had nothing to do with any of my concerns and doesn’t know why I was transferred to her. Her ID # is 9015. She was very nice and did not hang up on me. She explained the reasons for not giving out agents names etc; which I already understood.
After calling Congresswoman Alma Adams office to alert her to my complaint I phoned the Washington office of the FBI and was told to put my complaint in writing and address it to the Charlotte office with a Return Receipt via Registered mail. I was also cautioned not to call the Charlotte office back today as I might incur their anger. I was told it would be better to let the situation settle a bit before calling back after they have received my letter. I was told that at that time I should ask for the Duty Officer.
I think the last part, where I was cautioned to not call back today, speaks volumes about the problem in America today. Here I was, calling about a militia movement in Oregon taking over a government building, wondering what my government was going to do about it, and I wind up being cautioned that I will be perceived as being the “bad guy” if I call back again to voice my complaint. This is the scariest part of all; that a law abiding citizen, acting in accord with the governments best interests, can be cowed and made to feel afraid simply by attempting to contact my government with my concerns and questions.
I do expect a response to this complaint and have forwarded copies to Congresswoman Alma Adams, the Washington DC office of the FBI, The Charlotte Observer and both Senators from NC.
I hope to hear back in some fashion concerning the training of the employees involved in this incident. I will be following up by phone in a few weeks. A Letter of Reprimand should be placed in the appropriate employees file. I will be asking that Congresswoman Adams follow up on this.
Thank you for your time;
Robert S. Williams
Contact as above