911 response time

[turnkey4099]

I've had someone knocking on my door at 5:00 AM, after leaving the road and almost ending up in the river; on another occasion, about 8:30 at night driving down a deserted highway in a major snowstorm 2 miles from the nearest home in either direction; I encountered two women standing on the side of the road trying to flag me down. They had gotten lost, and gotten a Ford Escort stuck about 1/2 mile up a woods road. Should I have chased the first guy off with a gun, and left the two women to die? That would have been a very likely outcome, as there was no other traffic on the road.

I never said that it was safe; however, I did state that with the information we originally had, Mr Rupert's comments were warranted.

Your scenarios aren't even close to the OP's. Youand the buy you refer to are so far off base in this you aren't even in view of the ball park.

I live right on a major highway. Have helped many people over the years and had just one go bad, let a family and their freiend in due to car rpoblems, It go a bit hinky to the point I called the state police to get them out of the house. Yep, warrant hit on one. My neighbor thinks I am waaayyyy to easy.

 

[turnkey4099]

Maybe it's because I'm from a rural area, versus a city or surburban area where superficial appearances are more important to some, but around here appearances don't mean sh*t!

The guy in ripped, dirty clothing may be a farmer worth $millions, and way more honest, trustworthy and hardworking than some conman that's nicely dressed like a TV minister or used car salesman.

Were I in the smae position as the OP I would talk to the guy through the back door but my 'friend" would be in my hand. He would also be standing 30' away talking to me before the door opened. There is a point where common sense comes into play.

 

[turnkey4099]

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. I had a controlled burn get away from me (wind came up). I'm only 4.5 miles from the fire sstation. Seemed like an hour before they showed up, probably more like 10 minuies.

 

[k0ua]

I know right? I cannot imagine a 30 min response time as others have stated.

Believe it. That is what the response time is around here in Taney county 20 to 30 minutes. It will all be over but the shouting by the time they get here.

Yeah, sure hard to believe the guy had warrants for his arrest... I mean what are the chances?

 

[Jstpssng]

Were I in the smae position as the OP I would talk to the guy through the back door but my 'friend" would be in my hand. He would also be standing 30' away talking to me before the door opened. There is a point where common sense comes into play.

You don't even need to open the door, a window works just as well. My dog is (probably) harmless as all get out but you wouldn't know it from his bark, and he would be contributing to the conversation.

Your scenarios aren't even close to the OP's. Youand the buy you refer to are so far off base in this you aren't even in view of the ball park.

I live right on a major highway. Have helped many people over the years and had just one go bad, let a family and their freiend in due to car rpoblems, It go a bit hinky to the point I called the state police to get them out of the house. Yep, warrant hit on one. My neighbor thinks I am waaayyyy to easy.

I don't see the difference. 5:00 in the morning to be woken up by somebody pounding on your door is different than somebody 9:30 at night when the house is lit up? Two women wrapped in blankets out in the middle of a snowstorm, without a car in sight, miles from the nearest house? Believe it or not, that night my BS meter was bouncing off the scales until I found out what was going on. It also was one of the few times that I wished I had my .357.

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.

A reasonable person would do so, if there wasn't one person screaming while the other was saying that he was armed.


As I pointed out before, the OP's second post made the circumstances a lot clearer.

 

[Diggin It]

Not sure why this thread is hung up on ......

But I'll add a different perspective on response times.

911 line rings, caller is screaming their house is on fire and their three kids are trapped inside. You get the address off the display screen, take some basic information, then go to the radio console. Page the volunteer FD and ..... wait. And wait...... Bear in mind, this is the 3-4AM time period. Everybody is in bed worn out from long days at work. Have you ever tried to wake up at 3AM and be instantly functional? It takes a few seconds to even realize where you are and what you need to do. It can be a couple of minutes or so before anybody even gets to a radio to acknowledge the page as many volunteers only have pagers in the house and the radio may be out in their car.

OK, so you're sitting there with the caller on the phone trying to calm them as best you can while you're waiting for a reply from ..... anybody. Once you get that, you know that they still have to drive possibly several miles to get to the station and get the rig started. Most departments don't let a truck roll until at least two people are there. Then there's the drive time to the scene.

With any luck, your paid, full time EMS crew that you paged at the same time is a bit closer to the scene and can get there first. But, of course, they don't have water and turnout gear and air packs and whatever else the FD carries.

That's just one example. I won't go into the ones like where a guy is wandering around with a shotgun threatening to shoot himself. Again, well after midnight and you have to call a deputy out, which means waking them up also .... Once the deputy gets there, you have to call to Coroner.

 

[jjp8182]

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

Definitely an interesting read (though not much of a surprise) -- however, it doesn't apply to my parent's place as they're in Minnesota, and calling from a landline.

As for myself I figure whatever is going to happen is probably going to be over and done with before help arrives -- which is a mindset that link pretty much reinforces....... Of course my own situation is a bit more complicated (for various reasons) in the way that it may not always be wise to assume the individual in a police uniform is actually a law enforcement officer. The fact that there's recently been confusion about whether a couple individuals going around were actual sheriffs deputies or individuals impersonating law enforcement, as well as actual incidents of individuals impersonating law enforcement in the area also doesn't help the situation.

 

[davisgary2]

Been there done that as both an EMT and police officer. Many nights got woken up wife also EMT and I Would drive 12 + mins. To pick up ambulance and then 5 to 20 minutes to the scene. Thats a long time to wait but who can afford full time EMS FIRE OR PD in ryral NH.

 

[Dftodd]

Yeah, I have one dog who is actively hostile toward strangers. If I had an intruder, I would go for the first aid kit rather than a gun.

We have the lick-onator at the house. She's good for notification, and would probably go after someone if me or my wife were attacked. She has a deep bark and a growl that sounds like it originated in her toenails That growl will stand up the hair on your butt

I've only had her get aggressive towards one person though. And that was someone stringing new cable on the telephone poles on our street. He swore that every dog liked him and started to approach her. She backed up, did her stop and guard position (sideways with her body blocking me) and started growling something fierce.

 

[turnkey4099]

You don't even need to open the door, a window works just as well. My dog is (probably) harmless as all get out but you wouldn't know it from his bark, and he would be contributing to the conversation.


I don't see the difference. 5:00 in the morning to be woken up by somebody pounding on your door is different than somebody 9:30 at night when the house is lit up? Two women wrapped in blankets out in the middle of a snowstorm, without a car in sight, miles from the nearest house? Believe it or not, that night my BS meter was bouncing off the scales until I found out what was going on. It also was one of the few times that I wished I had my .357.


A reasonable person would do so, if there wasn't one person screaming while the other was saying that he was armed.


As I pointed out before, the OP's second post made the circumstances a lot clearer.

The additional information was not needed but it did enforce what the original posters thought about it...well except for a couple playing devil's advocate.

 

[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.