Another theory...

[Bicuitrocious]

This is almost invariable in horror / sci-fi films...

Teenagers are never taken seriously ("Those kooky kids have been smoking that Marriage-Ah-Wanna...") when they go to the cops. Sometimes the parents believe them, or a good-hearted teacher, but the cops? NEVER.

If I was a cop in a small town and a kid came running in to tell me that hairless weasels from Meteor X were turning all the townspeople into wax sculptures of Don Knotts, you bet your ass I'd investigate. I'd probably just shoot first at anything, like that Pavoratti-looking dude in "Mistress of the Apes." What else is there to do in a small town?

[Funk, E.]

Well... if a kid came to me with a story weasels from meteor X turning people into wax sculptures of Don Knotts I probably wouldn't believe them either... honestly... think about. If it turned out to be true I'd probably shoot myself ;-)

[Vermin Boy]

The exact opposite is true in Japan; when a small child tells a story about giant monsters, they are instantly granted top government clearance.

[Funk, E.]

The Japanesse always have been forward thinking. ;-)

[AndyC]

Dealing with small-town police on a regular basis, I can say that they would probably investigate. Even if they don't believe the entire wacky story, this kid might have seen something, and not investigating could create liability problems for the municipality if something does happen. At the very least, it will satisfy the nut who complained, and alleviate the officer's late-night boredom.

[AndyC]

Dealing with small-town police on a regular basis, I can say that they would probably investigate. Even if they don't believe the entire wacky story, this kid might have seen something, and not investigating could create liability problems for the municipality if something does happen. At the very least, it will satisfy the nut who complained, and alleviate the officer's late-night boredom.

(If this post appears twice, it is because the first attempt failed and I sent it again)