When seconds count, 911 doesn't answer

[GunnyGene]

This from the Big Easy. Police say they are understaffed and need more money. So what's cheaper (and more effective)? Hiring a bunch more at taxpayer expense, or people spending that money on a couple guns to protect themselves? (Rhetorical question, but feel free to chime in.

)

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- An Uptown family woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of someone breaking in and luckily their dog's barking scared off the intruder. What they didn't expect was no one answering their 911 calls for help.

"It's a Taurus 32," said Terri Bice holding a gun she never thought she'd own.

Now the Riverbend resident does own a gun, and there's a reason why.

"I think someone who would break the door down with that force had a serious intention," said Bice pointing out the damage to her front door.

On March 16, Bice's family was fast asleep when they were woken up around 2 a.m., to someone trying to break in to their home.

Bice believes it wasn't the door, but barking from Molly that stopped the intruder in their tracks.

So, she did what anyone would do. Grabbed her phone and dialed 9-1-1.

She got no answer.

"We all know about first responders and what their importance is that's not going to happen if no one answers," said Bice.

So, she did what anyone would do. Grabbed her phone and dialed 9-1-1.

She got no answer.

"We all know about first responders and what their importance is that's not going to happen if no one answers," said Bice.

She documented her calls for help: two to 911; two to the NOPD's non-emergency line; and one to NOPD's Second District. The final call was answered and Bice confirms an officer showed up two hours after the attempted home invasion.

"We keep being told that action is being done to fix it and it doesn't seem to be happening or it certainly isn't happening quick enough," said New Orleans City Councilwoman Susan Guidry who is aware of Bice's story.

Guidry says a Criminal Justice Committee Meeting already scheduled for Wednesday will address staffing issues at the Orleans Parish Communication District, along with a reduction of NOPD officers on the street.

According to Guidry, last summer the City's IT Department recommended a total of 65 call takers. Right now, there are only 36.

"We're going to need the cooperation of the NOPD, the Administration, the Orleans Parish Communications District, the EMS and the Fire Department all working on this issue," added Guidry.

More: http://www.wwltv.com/news/Uptown-Family ... 08691.html

 

[MikeD]

The answer is obvious...

But seriously, No one wants to address the real issue and that is that some people do bad things. You can make all the laws you want, take away guns, knives, and fluffy bunnies and people will still continue to do bad things. For some no amount of threat, punishment rehab, etc. will deter them. Free wills a ******.

Unfortunately a large portion of the populous still believes that if you make enough laws and remove enough of the tools, people will magically get along.

If we were all living in a padded room and wearing straight jackets with our tongues cut out, there would still be people head butting each other to death over some inane thing.

There is evil in the world and not everyone is inherently good.

Once you realize that, taking responsibility four your own safety becomes a no brainier.

 

[GunnyGene]

Mike, I've never understood the mind set that causes otherwise reasonably intelligent people to put these "gun-free zone" signs up. They've got to know that somebody intent on some criminal activity isn't going to pay it the least bit of attention. Seems to me these folks just don't have both oars in the water.