Disbelieving 911 operator ignored home invasion call

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/localnews/news8/stories/wfaa040429_am_911.1743fcad5.html

09:36 AM CDT on Friday, April 30, 2004

By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA-TV

A Fort Worth family is demanding that a 911 operator be fired after she failed to respond to a potential life-threatening situation.

Police are now investigating - and taking very seriously - the concerns of the Diaz family. They placed a 911 call while someone was attempting to break into their home, and they now say the operator blew them off during that time.

The kicked-in front screen door provides a sign that someone tried to break into the Diaz home two weeks ago. However, the best evidence may be the terror in the voice of Jeannette Diaz, 14, who placed the 911 call.

There's people outside with knives," Diaz told the operator. "They are breaking down the door."

Diaz's mother can be heard in the background. Both had retreated to a back bedroom for protection, hoping police could hurry and provide the rest.

"I was scared that they had a gun and I was real scared that they were going to shoot," Diaz said later. "I didn't know what to do."

Her fear turned to anger, though, when the operator began questioning the validity of the call.

"OK, who were they, because strangers don't just come bang down your door with knives," the operator told Diaz. "Do you have a brother or father there who they were looking for?"

"I don't know, they were just screaming," Diaz replied.

"Ma'am, you need to be honest with me," said the operator.

Seconds later, after the would-be attackers left, the 911 operator decided the call did not merit a follow up by police.

"If they come back, please give us a call back," the operator said. "OK?"

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Why perform an investigation?

Simply listen to the tapes, if she did what the Diaz's say, then she is fired. What would that take, five minutes?

Then, the Diaz's sue the city and win another Texas Lottery. I am sure that is what would happen if they were protected with a private security.

However, personal security, would have been a much better.

Oh, that is right, if people started fending for themselves, that would put a few folks on the government teat out of work...

--WP