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News Blogs
 
Dispatchers busier than cops
By Carl Strock
Sunday, July 20, 2008
I sat in the Schenectady police dispatch center on Friday afternoon, monitoring calls that came in, and what I concluded was that the dispatchers are a lot busier with trivial, non-criminal complaints than the cops themselves are. If someone calls (as someone did) to ask what time it is, the dispatcher has to deal with it, but a cop doesn’t. I was moved to undertake this little inspection by the recent suggestion on the part of Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett that cops be relieved of non-criminal matters, like neighbor disputes, and that those matters be turned over to civilian code-enforcement officers. I wanted to see just how much of a burden non-criminal calls are. From 1:30 to 5 p.m. I monitored 39 incoming calls, of which only two struck me as urgent criminal matters – a fight and an assault. To be sure, cops are dispatched to matters that are less than urgent and less than criminal, like cars parked on the wrong side of a street, but that’s a matter of priority. If more serious matters are pending, the lesser matters are put on hold. Also I was not able to monitor all calls, just those coming through the one dispatcher I was listening in on. I was told that officers were dispatched to 54 calls during the time I was there. Nevertheless, I was able to observe on a computer screen that out of the eight zone cars on patrol there were always some that were not occupied. There was never a time that all eight were tied up. For a sampling of the kinds of calls that come into the police dispatch center, and other entertaining facts and observations, please buy the print edition of the Sunday Gazette and see my column there.
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October 11, 2008
10:30 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Carl if you wanted to see busy perhaps you should spend some time on the 3-11PM or 4-12pm shift (however it is they run in Schenectady - I am not sure about that). It is quite odd that you would sit in on a dipatch room in the middle of the day and then comment on how slow it was. Any cop or dispatcher, particularly in a urban area, is aware that then is when the majority of the "hot" calls come in. But of course that would not give you as much opportunity to slame the police, a passion of yours. There are many times when it is warranted, but for you it is an odd obsession - might be shrink time my friend. Go back on the afternoon shift and give a listen.
Incidently on another note I saw another example of fine reporting that apeared in you paper over the weekend in regards to the SPD. An "alledged" drunk driver, while being pursued rammed a SPD unit with the patrol car going up in flames. The injured cop made it out of the car before it went up. When reading the short article the staff writer wrote "police converged on the suspect and were heard threatening the suspect with service weapons. In an obscenity laced exchange, police ordered the driver to raise his hands." (This after he rammed the patrol unit leaving the cop to almost burn to death.) Perhaps they should have said please or even pretty please.
Give me a break - any chance you or your paper get a chance to knock these guys you do; and you do it to the extent that you look foolish. There are many cases when they bring it on themselves and by all means you are right to let loose then - but for God's sake use some discretion. You and your fellow writers often sound child like.
4:57 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Scram......... could it be that you are a Schenectady cop? or a close relative?
Keep up the good work Carl. Informing the public of police nonsense is your duty as a writer.
Thumbs up on todays story!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10:47 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
I am not a SPD Cop or a relative of one. I am somebody that has actually been involved in the field for many years at varied levels unlike many who like to comment on issues with little understanding of what they are talking about. Obviously there are many legitimate criticisms of many local agencies. Unfortunetly many of the critiques that come from the media and the public center on petty issues that show little understanding of what police agencies are up against. The heck with it, let's just send the media and Mr. "Had Enough" out to do the job; I am sure they are up to it.
5:56 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Mr. Scram......... If you call officers going to jail, convicted of numerous felonies, theft of services by officers who are taking care of personal matters while being paid by the same city that they are sworn to protect as being "petty", then so be it. I can't argue with that kind of logic.
Unfortunately, all local police agencies are up against most of the same problems, but Schenectady seems to have the worst track record when all is said and done. But I guess that is the fault of the media, and the public for focusing on such pettiness.
8:23 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
As I said there are many legitimate issues with the SPD, many of which you mentioned. What I find laughable is the media (Gazette/TU) habit of taking any police episode and finding some way to take a jab at the police - hence my reference to the Gazettte mentioned of the police "obscenity laced" encounter with a suspect that just rammed one of their members almost killing them. That is a small comment, but it sends an obvious message - and I have read many similiar comments over the years in both major local papers. Also I am sure Mr. Had Enough has never conducted any perosnal business when he was on the clock - I am sure he is pure as snow. Wait to the media is crawling up your back someday and we will see how you enjoy it. Lets stick to real issues of police corruption, the big cases, and go with that.
5:06 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
I will answer your 2 questions to me, Mr. Scram.
I never professed to be, nor am "Pure as Snow". And no, If you want to equate watching my child bowl or working out in a gym as petty "on the clock personal business", I have never done that. If I did, and working for the private sector, I would be fired, and rightfully so, not given "Paid Suspension". In my opinion this stealing time is of the most corrubtible nature, certainly not a petty offense.
Before I stop beating this dead horse for the last time, I want to make one point perfectly clear......... any time one's salary is paid with public funds, the public has a right to know. Any abuse, such as stealing time, is a betrayal of the public trust in the first degree.
Keep reporting to us Carl!
9:50 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Detective Curtis and the drug issue - disgusting, embarassing, and NO EXCUSE SHOULD HAVE EVER BEEN PUT FORTH. The former Chief and his wife - again embarassment, horrific conduct; let them have it Carl. But watching the kid bowl? I am not aware of all the details in terms of how long the man was there, but I am pretty sure the guy had a portable radio and was on call - I can't see frying a guy for that. Keep in mind police (many of them) work all weekends, many if not most holidays, and have families - but I guess
Mr. Had Enough wants them fired for checking out the little guy bowl. In terms of "working out" there are local departments that allow cops to hit the gym while on duty as part of their contract. Why?? Well Mr. Had Enough try being a 35 or 40+ year old guy and going at it with a 18 or 20 year old kid - trust me it is not fun. I have no idea what SPD's contract says, but believe me it is a great idea to encourage staff to work out in this field - many do not due to various circumstances. I will stop blogging - this is my first and last time with this. Walk a mile in a man shoes my friend "Had Enough," I think your tune would change after one walk around the block.
3:34 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Carl: Recently there was a tour offered of the dispatch center. I went. Being an avid scanner listener I wanted to see how in the world they do what they do. Try again on your tour but do it on the 4 to midnight shift your opinion might be different.