911: Anybody home?

Our family is upset about the response of Coeur d’Alene 911 call center. My granddaughter works as a hairdresser in a salon close to a homeless shelter. On Wednesday, March 21st she was working late with a client when a “very scary guy” entered the salon. She tried to determine what this man wanted and if perhaps he needed help. He was verbally hard to understand, and acting erratic. She could not get him to leave; both she and her client were concerned for their safety. She called 911 and explained the situation to a female dispatcher and believed that police would respond.

Thirty minutes later no police. The man was now outside the building; both women were afraid to go to their cars. Granddaughter called 911 again as it was getting late and they wanted to go home. After another period of time she and the client both ran to their cars but noticed the man was still on the property. She moved her car to a nearby location and called 911 for the third time related to concern that this man would vandalize the business. The female dispatcher was reported to say, “This is the third time you have called. What do you want me to do with this?”

After hearing about this situation our family has had a “storm of questions,” the least of which is “what is wrong with 911?” Is this now the new normal? We are angry and disheartened. What is going on?

LINDA MARSH

Post Falls