[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]
After a number of serious incidents over the past year involving Israel Police dispatchers, the department promised to ‘get more professional’.
The following recording is that of a caller reporting to the Israel Police emergency dispatcher that there are about 10 camels wandering in a public park in Beersheva, in the Makor Chaim area.
The first question for the caller is “Why are you calling us?” rather than listening or trying to assist, the dispatcher wants to know why she is being bothered. The called asks “Why, we cannot call unless someone is dying”, ending the call “fine just talk, you don’t have to scream at me”.
The caller explained she believed this was the proper place to inform police of the hazardous situation. Rather than address the caller’s report, the dispatcher continues to rebuke her for calling an emergency number, finally explaining “We are aware of this, it is not new, and it is being dealt with”.
Israel’s new police commissioner will have his work out for him.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
If one called 911 to report a bunch of cows wandering around Brooklyn, you would probably get a similar response. The police want emergency numbers to be for emergencies. Many places added a different number for non-emergecies (such as wandering livestock).
Ak lol
#1, at the very most, they’d transfer you to 311 and, more probably, they’d take proper action.
jobs like these are the responsibility of the police.