Topic: Response of Sheriffs Dept

[pinkytus]

I would like to know what I need to do to get a quicker response from county and actual investigation into what happen. There were gunshots fired at my house the other morning and after calling 5 times and an hour of waiting, county finally showed up. Before they responded they called my phone and told me that because I live in a high crime area that has numerous reports of gunfire, they did not see the need to respond. I explained that myself and all homeowners around me were elderly and that I was concerned for my neighbors safety. After arrival, the three officers did a 2 minute search, spoke a few minutes, and left the scene without well being checks done on my neighbors. After talking to my neighbors, they witnessed the vehicles as well. What do I have to do to get further investigation done.

[blissfullybusy]

I'm sorry you had such a bad situation, I would have been terrified if gun shots were fired at my home!!!!!

I may be speaking out of turn, but this is one of things that you get what you pay for.  Sadly our county can't afford to pay the officers more.... the more experienced officers move on to higher paying jobs.

So my response to how to get something done is to push the commissioners to put a 1/2 cent sales tax up to vote, so we can get some more experienced officers and we can have MORE officers. 

JMO

[Lepard LLC]

The bullets hit your house?
 
 

I would like to know what I need to do to get a quicker response from county and actual investigation into what happen. There were gunshots fired at my house the other morning and after calling 5 times and an hour of waiting, county finally showed up. Before they responded they called my phone and told me that because I live in a high crime area that has numerous reports of gunfire, they did not see the need to respond. I explained that myself and all homeowners around me were elderly and that I was concerned for my neighbors safety. After arrival, the three officers did a 2 minute search, spoke a few minutes, and left the scene without well being checks done on my neighbors. After talking to my neighbors, they witnessed the vehicles as well. What do I have to do to get further investigation done.

[okie the thread killer]

Where on earth do you live? Has it happened before?

[pinkytus]

I live in Valley Park. As far as I can see, there are none lodged in my house or front trees.

[Lepard LLC]

So people are right in front of your house and they are shooting at your house, yet no bullets hit your house? Perhaps you are streching the truth here?
 
 

I live in Valley Park. As far as I can see, there are none lodged in my house or front trees.

[pinkytus]

Coming from the man who can't report a motorcycle accident correctly.

[CriTTer]

I'm sorry you had such a bad situation, I would have been terrified if gun shots were fired at my home!!!!!

I may be speaking out of turn, but this is one of things that you get what you pay for.  Sadly our county can't afford to pay the officers more.... the more experienced officers move on to higher paying jobs.

So my response to how to get something done is to push the commissioners to put a 1/2 cent sales tax up to vote, so we can get some more experienced officers and we can have MORE officers. 

JMO

money is a piss poor excuse..they signed on for the amount they were told they were gonna get so even if it is low they still have a job to do

[blissfullybusy]

money is a piss poor excuse..they signed on for the amount they were told they were gonna get so even if it is low they still have a job to do

I agree with you 200%, I'm just saying even though it shouldn't be.... it is. ;(

[COUGAR59]

maybe you should call the state highway patrol and see if they respond any quicker.

[Chas]

If the actual response was because you live in a high crime area that has numerous reports of gunfire they did not see the need to respond. Maybe they should be hanging around that area more. Missed you house, maybe they are bad shots, or were shooting in the air.
No money is a poor excuse, I would vote for the ½ cent tax if they got it on the ballot. However I’m not sure that it would pass. In this instance with out knowing all the facts, the “did not need to respond” answer given is the worse part about this.

[jeepguy]

sounds like a bunch of crap to me, if this really happened and the Sheriffs office said that, I'm sure JB would have already posted a response. Hey I know what, if the crime is so bad there start a watch program, get the names and turn them in, or you can just sit back and do nothing like most folks.

[Chas]

Given the posts that others have made about some of the responses made to their calls I will give pinkytus the benefit of doubt until JB weighs in on this.

[Valor7]

The ONLY deputy on duty was busy when this call came in and it did take 42 minutes before he was in the area. He did grab 2 St. Robert officers to back him up and they did canvass the area. He did phone trying to get more details.
 
 I am not happy about the speed of the response in this case nor am I happy about the LONE deputy on duty having 550 square miles to cover and 52,000 people to protect.
 
JB

[igahmah at work]

Didn't they used to have  "volunteer" officers in the Sheriff's department.  Not volunteers, what were they called? (man I hate old age)  I thought they had some unpaid staff at one time.  Whatever the reason for not responding it is not a good one.  As I said before, IF someone had been hurt, what would the excuse be then, and only having one person who could answer the call who was busy doing something else, is not an excuse.  RESERVE OFFICERS I think that is what they were called.  Were they paid or on volunteer status?
I think people leaving the department is not a good excuse either.  Hire somebody else.  In case you haven't heard the unemployment rate is 10%.  If it was my house, and I called for police protection, I would be p....... if nobody showed up for almost an hour.  No excuses.
 
In cases like this when the officer was "busy" there should be a plan in effect that they would immediately call SR or Waynesville or HP to go assist the person calling.  If you can wait till you are going then have them help you, you should be able to say, "look, we are swamped down here and this person needs help NOW." 
 
I have to say the SR police are always right there when called in our neighborhood and they have been called quite a bit.  They have never said "oh well that is a bad area so we will take our time."

[dixonbob]

I find this response time confusing. I can fart and have 2 PCSD and 2 MHP slide in my yard in minutes.And this woman claims shots fired at her home and no response for 42 minutes cause the only officer was busy. Busy as in- More critical than shots fired at a home? All I can say is dont depend on the PCSD for help. Arm your selfs and take action if needed. OH WAIT!!! If you have a loaded gun in your home and kick back and have a beer YOU GO TO JAIL!!!!!!!1 Id have to say never call the PCSD . When you have a problem and call them you have 2 problems. Thats a sad way to think but its true. Our Sherrifs Dept is pitiful and will be till more growth and tax revenues can generate more cash.

[qqqq]

They can't hire someone if they don't have the money and there is no way that I would expect someone to risk their lives while they aren't getting paid.

[igahmah at work]

Volunteer Firefighters do it all the time.

[qqqq]

I understand that there are people that do it,  but I don't think that it should be something that is expected.  I think we take for granted that there are people who are willing to risk their lives for someone they don't know, but what about their families?  How is that fair? 

[I have no username]

Take cover, leave, arm yourself.  Not sure where you live, but sometimes you should be "ready" to protect yourself.  Dont start the trouble and be darned sure of what you are doing because there may be consequences to your actions.  Even if there were 100 officers on duty in your general area, the response time will never be good enough for the guy that has already kicked your door in and approaching you with a weapon. 

But never, never, ever go out searching for the bad guy yourself...not your job.  If you are able to get description thats fine, but dont place yourself in danger.  I have read where people have a crime outside their home, get the shotgun and find the guy...guy decides to start shooting, forcing good gut to shoot back...legally this gets to be a real gray area that I wouldnt want to be involved in and if I were on the jury would be considering it vigilante justice which is not justified even though it makes you feel better etc.

[igahmah at work]

Can someone answer the question about the Reserve Officers.  Who were they and were they paid?

[Just_a_Biker]

Can someone answer the question about the Reserve Officers.  Who were they and were they paid?

Reserve Deputies have a commission with the PCSD, but generally have other jobs.  Requirements have changed over the years, and JB would be able to say (or not) what HIS requirements are as Sheriff.  There used to be a very large number of Reserve Deputies that worked shifts or special assignments, and their time is free as they are volunteering.  I know there are some on here that either are, or have been Reserve Deputies, and they, or JB, would be able to explain the dynamic much better than I could.

[igahmah at work]

So there is help available.  Maybe he should train some more reserve deputies.  If only to answer the phone in the jail and be manpower in the jail to release the other deputies to do their job elsewhere so people don't have to wait an hour for a response to "shots being fired."

[dixonbob]

Take cover, leave, arm yourself.  Not sure where you live, but sometimes you should be "ready" to protect yourself.  Dont start the trouble and be darned sure of what you are doing because there may be consequences to your actions.  Even if there were 100 officers on duty in your general area, the response time will never be good enough for the guy that has already kicked your door in and approaching you with a weapon. 

But never, never, ever go out searching for the bad guy yourself...not your job.  If you are able to get description thats fine, but dont place yourself in danger.  I have read where people have a crime outside their home, get the shotgun and find the guy...guy decides to start shooting, forcing good gut to shoot back...legally this gets to be a real gray area that I wouldnt want to be involved in and if I were on the jury would be considering it vigilante justice which is not justified even though it makes you feel better etc.

Put me on a jury and its a no brainer. Homeowners gonna win EVERY TIME. Call me a vigilate or whatever but Im NOT gonna get ripped off or beat up

[I have no username]

Just want to let everyone know it isnt as cut and dry as homeowner wins always.  I would most likely err on the home owner's side too, but not everyone will. 
 
Just think smart and if you can avoid getting yourself shot, that is the best recourse alltogether.
 

[Seeg]

Put me on a jury and its a no brainer.

They'll never let you on THAT side of a jury box, Bob! 

j/k

[demo.dave]

So there is help available.  Maybe he should train some more reserve deputies.  If only to answer the phone in the jail and be manpower in the jail to release the other deputies to do their job elsewhere so people don't have to wait an hour for a response to "shots being fired."

He dont get to walk around the streets choosing who he wants to reserve. They have to be POST certified and come ask him to reserve. Then they only have to work a few hours a month. He cant just put them on a 40 hour a week schedule when he feels like it.

Do you guys really think JB likes getting on here and seeing this? Do you all not stop to think that he is doing what HE can do? If you can get on this board and complain...then you can read over the past few years at how much he is trying to get help. Its not like he gets on here when there is a complaint and blows up and calls the OP names.

If you live in county and the PCSD is busy, be smart and call the Highway Patrol. They are there for a reason. People just want anything to complain about and dont wanna think. I could understand being upset at first, but if you kept tryin for an hour without trying another agency, then some fault lies on you for not finding an alternate route. Nobody said life was either easy or perfect. Sometimes you gotta think for yourself and not depend on everyone else for everything.

[igahmah at work]

I think everybody on here realizes JB reads the posts on here.  That is why we post what we are thinking so he will know.  Sometimes we agree with what he does sometimes we don't.  Not trying to make him feel bad, just posting our feelings.  I'm sure his skin is thick enough to take it.  I love JB, voted for him the last time and would vote for him again.  Just saying I would be really mad if I called for police protection and nobody showed up.  How many times have you read on here where someone inadvertently called SRP or Waynesville police only to be told they are not in their jurisdiction.  I had no idea you could call the highway patrol.  This is good information to have.  Now if I call them and they say, that is not our jurisdiction, you will be the first to know.

[Seeg]

If you live in county and the PCSD is busy, be smart and call the Highway Patrol.

And then call the Commish's....  Maybe they'd like to get an early morning wake-up call.

[igahmah at work]

Yeah, like they don't have caller ID and would answer a call from me.