Editorial: City councilor isn’t the one who has to answer for 911 calls (NM)

The question isn’t whether City Councilor Louie Sanchez calls 911 too much. It’s whether police are responding in time to prevent serious crimes and save lives. But you wouldn’t know that based on the recent dismissive tone of the Albuquerque Police Department.

Sanchez, who served 25 years with APD before taking office in January, has been pressing city officials about why officers weren’t dispatched after a recent 911 call in which Sanchez reported a man at a gas station hitting another man with the butt of a gun and pointing the gun.

Rather than immediately dispatching officers, the 911 operator said she was setting up a “be on the look out.” Meanwhile, the report of a man pointing and striking another man with a gun got no response for about 50 minutes… READ MORE

Calhoun County Dispatch Authority awards 2022 Employee of the Year (MI)

MARSHALL, Mich. — The Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (CCCDA) has named its employee of the year. For 2022, the award has been given to Kate Cole.

Cole began her career as an emergency telecommunicator in 2016. Her interest in the field began during a criminal justice internship. Cole is also a Communication Training Officer, who trains the CCCDA’s newest employees. She is also a member of the Public Education and Relations Committee… READ MORE

FL County’s 9-1-1 Operations in Crisis

It was supposed to be a day full of hope for what the New Year would bring, but it began with a cry for help so guttural it carried throughout the Deerfield Beach house. Keishawn Johnson Jr., not even 3 months old, was turning blue. His mother, full of terror, screamed: “My baby! My baby!”

Cory McNeil, one of many adults staying at the house that included a bed full of sleeping children, grabbed a phone and frantically pounded the numbers 9-1-1. The phone rang and rang and rang — and rang some more — as Darrol “Molly” Glasco continued to scream for someone to help her baby boy…

‘Public safety issue’: 40% of non-emergency calls in Vancouver going unanswered (Canada)

‘Public safety issue’: 40% of non-emergency calls in Vancouver going unanswered (Canada)

Four out of 10 times, when someone tries to call in a non-emergency to the Vancouver Police Department, they are choosing to abandon their call.

It’s very likely not that they don’t wish to report the crime, tip or suspicious activity, but that they are having to wait up to hours to speak with an operator.

E-Comm, the third party service that answers 911 and non-emergency calls for police and fire departments in much of B.C., said in a statement wait times on non-emergency calls in the Lower Mainland are sometimes exceeding two hours…

‘The first, first responders’: Chesterfield County hiring 911 dispatchers (VA)

‘The first, first responders’: Chesterfield County hiring 911 dispatchers (VA)

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Chesterfield County is hiring 911 dispatchers to join its Emergency Communications Center (ECC). The center serves as the primary answering point for emergency and non-emergency requests within the county.

According to the county, the position is dedicated to assist in saving lives and protecting property, facilitating the flow of information between callers and county emergency services, and providing aid and instructions prior to the arrival of safety field resources…

ODC Central Dispatch utilizes translation services to provide speedy response for residents not fluent in English (KY)

ODC Central Dispatch utilizes translation services to provide speedy response for residents not fluent in English (KY)

Owensboro-Daviess County Central Dispatch is tasked each day with helping members of the community through life-altering situations. To help ensure every resident can receive help equally, the dispatch center spends roughly $200 a month on translator services for non-fluent English speakers.

Paul Nave, director of the ODC Central Dispatch, said they utilize different avenues to help communicate and learn about the situation as quickly as possible…