911 response time

[Sigarms]

Cut to the chase.. Start on page 12, section 3.4 to see identified problems with the Alabama 911 System.

https://al911board.com/sites/default/files/9-1-1 Long Term Plan v1 .pdf

If you're at home, and you need help for whatever reason to come to your home, use your landline phone.

I was on the phone the other day "guiding in" a gentleman to see my father about his estate planning, guy was following his phone's GPS and he couldn't find our place. It wasn't until my wife went to the end of the driveway that he knew where to go (decent lengthed gravel driveways off a paved drivway sometimes don't show up to good on your phone LOL).

If I didn't say it, an 8 minute response time for a rural location is an excellent response time IMO.

 

[Diggin It]

Location of incident when using a cell phone is a serious problem, especially if the caller is from a different area and not familiar with the area they're in.

 

[dmccarty]

Once upon a time, a young lady found a strange man on her front porch looking in the door window. Scared her so bad she called 911. I guess she was wrong in bothering the police.

Police showed up and surprise, surprise, that stranger was no where to be seen. I guess that stranger was scared off by that young lady's rudeness since she screamed, ran to lock herself in a bedroom and called 911. According to some, it appears that the young lady should have just invited the strange man into the house for tea and crumpets. How dare she trust her instincts. For shame.

That incident happened in a big city and the police response was less than 5 minutes. A short response but it seemed like forever to that young lady.

Course I guess I am just one big a...s.... Just yesterday some yahoo drove past our gate and posted signs to get to the house. I was waiting for him on the porch. He said he and his crew were just down the road on a project and wanted to know if I wanted to buy some chip and seal. Really? I have heard of that scam for years and I know these people operate in the county but it was the first time I had seen it myself. I guess what I should have said was sure, will you want to get paid up front in cash? After all he was a clean cut young man.

Later,
Dan

 

[k0ua]

Why do folks feel the need to play "devils advocate". I have always felt the devil had plenty of advocates anyway. Not to say he can't stir up plenty of crap on his own.

 

[Diggin It]

I guess what I should have said was sure, will you want to get paid up front in cash?

What you should have done was got as much information as possible including physical descriptions of the people and the vehicle, a plate if possible, maybe a picture. Then called the business (non-emergency) number for your local police or sheriff.

 

[atsah]

And maybe asked him what shoe size he wears, (just in case he needs some new shoes) since time is always a non issue in these situations, maybe also try and obtain some more in depth personal information you know, before you send him on his way..

 

[txdon]

8 minutes for police and 17 minutes for fire is a fast time in a rural area. When I was I was a volunteer FF and it took me 20 minutes to get to the station (and I was usually the first one there) and another 20 minutes to get to the location. The nearest PD (Sheriff) was 30 minutes away if they weren't busy on another call. You really must be prepared to take care of the situation yourself. In my area then if you could not get in a car for medical assistance the quickest I saw someone get from calling 911 to arriving at the hospital was 2 hours (utilizing ambulance, police, fire and helicopter) Yes things to think about as you age gracefully in the country.

If you are visible to the road people will ask to use your phone. You did good by not letting them in. If you think it might be legit but have concerns just ask them the number and dial it being a locked door (with your protection close by - but only use it after they force their way inside and you are in fear of your life - for legal reasons).

 

[TheMan419]

Yes. Ha ha.
But truth be told, my hearts not into as much anymore as more facts come out after OP's original post and my stance gets weaker. (i.e. Regarding his actions: there was trespassing signs avoided, came from a direction that avoided motion detectors, etc....., but his appearance is still irrelevant.)
It very well may of been the Devil at their backdoor (but isn't the Devil always portrayed as being sharply dressed?)....anyways, I'll will no longer advocate for the Devil.....at least not pro-bono.....however if I can get paid...!!

"I don't think it's very hard to tell the difference between someone that truly needs help and someone that could be dangerous" - Maybe, but not always. It seems a large portion of this country can't recognize a con man when they see one.

The fact it is difficult to ascertain if someone is a con man is why they exist. I deal with a lot of people in my profession who have every reason to out right lie. When I have time and perspective to figure it out I am good at it. At 930 at night and with all the adrenaline running not taking any chances.

Plus at the end of the day the guy got whatever help he needed. Flat tire? Cops will help. Warrant? Cops will certainly help.

 

[TheMan419]

You did the right things.

I agree with your assessment that you should have told him the police were on the way. Any reasonable person would then say thank you and sit down and wait for the help they need. Even if it ended up being just a flat tire, the cops would assist you.

We've had it happen several times up here, too, people coming to the doors and asking if they could use the phone, and did similar to what you did, and offered to call the police for assistance. All of them declined the offer, so we called the cops anyway. Most were hauled off when the police arrived. :laughing: Fortunately, your county police station is 60 seconds from my house. :thumbsup:

8 minutes on a Sunday evening isn't bad response time at all. But it seems like an eternity when it's you that's waiting. Even my 60 second wait seems like forever when it's an emergency.

Most TBN members don't realize that you and I live on the western edge of the eastern time zone. It's light out at 9:30pm this time of year. Doesn't get dark until after 10pm. Probably helped the police catch him.

Yep it was still light enough for me to get a good look at him and a description.

Wife is going to range this week with her fire arms instructor for some tune up.

Oh darn will prob have to go with her to the gun store and get her a girly gun. Not sure what she is going to be comfortable with having in the barn but whatever that is we will get one.... and of course an appropriate safe. She will not carry one on her.

 

[drssg]

Yep it was still light enough for me to get a good look at him and a description.

Wife is going to range this week with her fire arms instructor for some tune up.

Oh darn will prob have to go with her to the gun store and get her a girly gun. Not sure what she is going to be comfortable with having in the barn but whatever that is we will get one.... and of course an appropriate safe. She will not carry one on her.

You’re doing better than me. My wife refuses to consider firing a pistol. I convinced her to do a single target practice session with a Ruger 10-22 rifle, and that at least has a 25 round magazine.

If I was away from home, and she faced a life and death emergency, I’m not convinced she would remember how to get into the safe and operate that rifle.

Some people prefer to not think about bad things.