Sunday, March 22, 2009

When Seconds Count ...


Elderly woman faces 911 problems during break-in

An elderly woman found herself repeatedly dialing 911 after the emergency calls rang with no answer and an intruder roamed around her Parker County home.

On a February night, Laverne Hokett awoke to the sound of a man breaking down her back door.

"It's a thousand wonders I haven't had a heart attack," she said with tears welling up in her eye. "I was so afraid."

Police: Slain student called 911, but no help sent

A college student apparently called 911 from her cell phone shortly before she was killed but a dispatcher hung up, failed to call back and never sent police to investigate, authorities say.

Madison Police Chief Noble Wray said it was too early to know whether a better response could have prevented the April 2 slaying of Wisconsin-Madison student Brittany Zimmermann or helped police capture her killer.

Even if they did send help it may not have prevented her death.

When seconds count the police are only minutes, or hours, or maybe won't be there at all.

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