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idbill
offlineMember
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/116456603.html
Hmm...
- On one side, I could say that the police wouldn't be able to do much because the victim is on the bus and the perps would not be by the time they arrive... if they could even 'meet up' with the moving bus.
- On the other side, it would seem buses would be one of the least safe places in the city.
- On another side, it makes me wonder what would happen if people started taking an active role in their environment
SPG
offlineMember
This isn't the first time that 911 refused to send police to a crime in progress. I've heard people get turned down because they didn't have the exact address, but just cross streets or a major landmark. I've heard people get turned down for reporting a "theft" instead of a "robbery" when they weren't the ones being robbed.
Dispatch really needs to have better training with an absolute emphasis on getting people help first and sorting out the details and procedural BS while it's on the way.
Also, the bus driver was probably unaware of what was going on since he can easily summon KC Sheriffs.
boatgeek
offlineMember
When SPD wants to respond to a bus, they certainly can. A couple of years ago, I was on a bus when a passenger was making threatening remarks (I didn't catch the exact words--there was some disagreement about whether he was just drunk and stupid or an actual danger). The bus driver was stopped for less than 2 minutes when there were three or four police cars on scene. That was during the evening commute on the 18.
ballardmike
offlineMember
Just let 'em know the bus has donuts on board.
onederfullone
offlineMember
*for satirical purposes only*
The ultimate 911 call
"911, what are you reporting"
"Uh, yeah, I was just robbed on the 18 bus...they are wearing blue jeans and black hoodies, just left the bus at Nickerson, north bound..."
"Just one suspect? Did they display a weapon?"
"No, there was two of them, no they didn't...I didn't see a weapon."
"No weapon?"
"No...but, along with my wallet they stole a fresh box of donuts, I got them for the wife, and"
"Donuts, sir?"
"Yeah, and "
"Where did they go?"
"um...like I said, Nickerson, I think they went south from..."
"With a box of donuts?"
"Yeah...and my wallet."
"Thank you for calling 911."
"You're...welcome...so about my wallet..."
click.
lyl
offlineMember
About 911 dispatchers. I was working for the city and a job opened up for 911 dispatch. I thought I'd give it a try. To my amazement the qualifications were minimal and so was the pay. I think at the time it was like $9 an hour and I'd have to take a 50% pay cut to take that job. I am sure things haven't changed much in the last 15 years. They are not recruiting nor hiring the cream of the crop for that job but they should be.
VeganBiker
offlineMember
lyl - sound like it might have changed a bit:
Dweezil
offlineMember
$45k per year starting wage to tell people on the phone "no police for you!"
Nice.
When I was a 13 year old misguided youth in a small town, I dialed 911 while the family was away and hung up before I even heard a response. 5 minutes later as I was hangin out on the front porch with a friend, a patrol car rolled up and asked if I called 911. I was pretty much terrified and denied everything. I think he knew what was up and left.
So maybe, if you're a bit more mysterious about what is going down and just hang up, they'll actually respond.
onederfullone
offlineMember
That won't work with a mobile phone, but they will call you back.
Dweezil
offlineMember
I was thinking more along the lines of:
"911. What's your emergency?"
"Help! Bus #15 northbound at 15th and Market. Help!"
click.
Or throw in a vague "I think he may have a gun" and then click. Not an outright lie, because he 'may' actually have a gun.
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