A recurring theme here is: protect yourself. YOU are your first line of defense. Calling 911 is fine if you’re locked in an impenetrable box with plenty of time for the cops to get there… IF they’re even dispatched.
Sheila Jones had an angry ex boyfriend force himself into her home and she naturally called 911 for help.
‘Help’ didn’t come. Instead she called, time after time, and asked for help over the course of THREE HOURS. At one point an officer was on his way but stopped to help another officer at a traffic stop. After that, no one was assigned to go to Sheila’s home. She was told that as soon as a unit was available it would be sent.
Then the abhorrent takes place:
Sheila: “I’m scared to even leave out my f***ing house.”
911: “OK, ma’am, I updated the call. We’ll get somebody there as soon as possible.”
Sheila: [Hangs up.]
911: “I really just don’t give a s**t what happens to you.”
In the end Sheila called the mayor’s office, and it was only then that police answered her call for help.
911 Operators are a rare breed. They must stay calm and follow procedure in order to help the caller, no matter what they hear. And they hear some downright horrible things at times. It’s not just a job. These people, or most of them, know that they’re in the middle, helping both the victim as well as law enforcement.
But some -obviously- should not be on the job.
Protect yourself. The fact is, the cops, as fast as they drive, can never beat the speed of a bullet.
nice comment
let’s hope for better in future
I cannot begin to tell you my reaction to this. Holy Crap! And the saddest part is, no matter what anyone tells you Domestic Abuse, personal safety (unless there are large numbers of people at risk) is NOT a priority.
And I’ll probably be damned for this, but there is no glory in saving just one. Or intervening in a “personal” dispute. And that keeps it from being something that gets immediate reaction from many of those that have sworn to serve and protect…….