Lompoc Police Department in Lompoc, California

My fiancé and I were visiting this fine little town on our way back from the redwoods, it had been a nice little vacation with very few hiccups. We rolled into town and pulled up to “the inn at highway 1” around 1230 am. Tired and bedraggled from our drive we had already made reservations with Expedia on the way there. As we pulled up a rather unkept looking woman in sweats stepped hastily out of an old Honda, proceeded to the front doors and yanked on them when they clearly read “push” then disappeared around the side of the building looking confused and in a rush. When she reappeared she approached our vehicle talking to someone on her cell phone and asked if we were “checking in?” We replied yes and she proceeded to ask us for a routing number without ever identifying herself or implying in any way she worked for the hotel, she then proceeded to tell us the hotel was “booked full” when more than half the parking lot was empty. A few minutes later as we were checking into the hotel next door (inn of Lompoc) an officer of the Lompoc Police department entered the lobby and politely asked us if the vehicle out front was ours. He stated someone had called and said we were sitting out front of the hotel next-door which we were. I advised him we were and informed him of what we had experienced, minus the part about her asking for the routing number. The desk clerk at the hotel stated this was a constant occurrence for that hotel across the street, and I began to wonder if maybe she was running some sort of scam getting peoples information. I proceeded to call the nonemergency number for Lompoc PD and asked if I could speak with the officer once more, I was dismissively advised without further question, that the lady, who I had not had a chance to describe, did indeed work at the hotel and that we were in the wrong for not providing her information. While the officer was respectful and polite, the phone operator who did not provide her name, was disrespectful and dismissive to a visiting couple who were legitimately concerned for their safety and the safety of other guests in this town. As former law enforcement myself, I have never showed such disregard for a citizens concerns and will certainly be avoiding this place in my future travels. Your officers are commendable however your civilian staff could use a refresher in professionalism. -M.M.