What's your opinion - NOT calling 911 after a SD shooting

[TresHuevos]

In Mexico even in the car wrecks they flee the scene and find Abogado>
Mexicans on this side of the border also do the same frequently its an ethnic (learned) thing.

Very very true. A hit and run happened right in front of my son just yesterday. Luckily, the jerk's front license plate fell off at the scene.

[K5GU]

This will probably trigger some debate (a good thing!), but there is an alternative to 9-1-1 if you need PD, FD or EMT, and to avoid the Q&A session with the 9-1-1 office. For example, in a home invasion scenario in Fort Worth, I would probably only call 9-1-1, if possible, as soon as a threat was imminent or in progress before I attempted to eliminate the threat if time permitted. If not possible, then I would attempt to eliminate the threat and then call the non-emergency number (after threat elimination, the emergency may have passed). It's also a good idea to know and work with your NPO's assigned to your area. It's highly likely that the officer dispatched to your address will be one of your NPO's.

[WildBill]

This will probably trigger some debate (a good thing!), but there is an alternative to 9-1-1 if you need PD, FD or EMT, and to avoid the Q&A session with the 9-1-1 office. For example, in a home invasion scenario in Fort Worth, I would probably only call 9-1-1, if possible, as soon as a threat was imminent or in progress before I attempted to eliminate the threat if time permitted. If not possible, then I would attempt to eliminate the threat and then call the non-emergency number (after threat elimination, the emergency may have passed). It's also a good idea to know and work with your NPO's assigned to your area. It's highly likely that the officer dispatched to your address will be one of your NPO's.

I can not think of any scenario where I wouldn't call 911 after being involved in a SD shooting.

[jmra]

This will probably trigger some debate (a good thing!), but there is an alternative to 9-1-1 if you need PD, FD or EMT, and to avoid the Q&A session with the 9-1-1 office. For example, in a home invasion scenario in Fort Worth, I would probably only call 9-1-1, if possible, as soon as a threat was imminent or in progress before I attempted to eliminate the threat if time permitted. If not possible, then I would attempt to eliminate the threat and then call the non-emergency number (after threat elimination, the emergency may have passed). It's also a good idea to know and work with your NPO's assigned to your area. It's highly likely that the officer dispatched to your address will be one of your NPO's.

I can not think of any scenario where I wouldn't call 911 after being involved in a SD shooting.

Something about taking the time to look up the non-emergency number that just looks bad.

[K5GU]

I suppose it also depends on your location, matter of jurisdictions, etc. According to Fort Worth, Tx PD Code Blue, and their web site, they have suggestions on when to call 9-1-1 or non-emergency. Of course I feel like it's up to you and if you feel like you have an 'emergency' or not. It is true the 9-1-1 is a speedy way to get them on the phone. http://fortworthwestcops.com/call_guide.htm

[Pawpaw]

You have just shot someone and they may or may not be dead or dying.

Somehow I doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.

[K5GU]

You have just shot someone and they may or may not be dead or dying.

Somehow I doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.

Let's hope we never have to find out. But be prepared to spend several minutes on the phone with the 9-1-1 call screener. They must ask several things before setting the call priority. Some potential problems are, if you are not willing to answer all the questions might result in a lower priority (longer wait time). According to some stats I've read, the average prank 9-1-1 calls runs pretty high, depending on time of day, locality, etc. So that's one thing the screener must do is determine if you really have a life-threatening situation, and so on. Also, the 9-1-1 conversation is recorded, which will be used in litigation if you are arrested. The non-emergency number will usually allow you to talk to a police officer instead of a dispatcher/screener. Keep in mind that this same scenario will play out whether it's a shooting or not (ie, stabbing, fist fight, etc.).

[WildBill]

You have just shot someone and they may or may not be dead or dying.

Somehow I doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.

Let's hope we never have to find out. But be prepared to spend several minutes on the phone with the 9-1-1 call screener. They must ask several things before setting the call priority. Some potential problems are, if you are not willing to answer all the questions might result in a lower priority (longer wait time). According to some stats I've read, the average prank 9-1-1 calls runs pretty high, depending on time of day, locality, etc. So that's one thing the screener must do is determine if you really have a life-threatening situation, and so on. Also, the 9-1-1 conversation is recorded, which will be used in litigation if you are arrested. The non-emergency number will usually allow you to talk to a police officer instead of a dispatcher/screener. Keep in mind that this same scenario will play out whether it's a shooting or not (ie, stabbing, fist fight, etc.).

Since the 911 calls are recorded you can state all of the relevant information and hang up when you are finished. If you can not safely stay on the phone they will still have the location and the nature of the emergency.

[K5GU]

You have just shot someone and they may or may not be dead or dying.

Somehow I doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.

I'm not sure what you mean by ..doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.. I guess it would be a matter of why you called them. If I feel like I might be killed or seriously injured by an attacker and I defend myself the way I was trained, there's a high probability the attacker would be dead, not dying. Like I always say, I hope and pray we never have to find out that way.

[K5GU]

You have just shot someone and they may or may not be dead or dying.

Somehow I doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.

Let's hope we never have to find out. But be prepared to spend several minutes on the phone with the 9-1-1 call screener. They must ask several things before setting the call priority. Some potential problems are, if you are not willing to answer all the questions might result in a lower priority (longer wait time). According to some stats I've read, the average prank 9-1-1 calls runs pretty high, depending on time of day, locality, etc. So that's one thing the screener must do is determine if you really have a life-threatening situation, and so on. Also, the 9-1-1 conversation is recorded, which will be used in litigation if you are arrested. The non-emergency number will usually allow you to talk to a police officer instead of a dispatcher/screener. Keep in mind that this same scenario will play out whether it's a shooting or not (ie, stabbing, fist fight, etc.).

Since the 911 calls are recorded you can state all of the relevant information and hang up when you are finished. If you can not safely stay on the phone they will still have the location and the nature of the emergency.

Yes, and if you do it that way and you're on a cell phone or VOIP phone, make sure you give them your address. Not all phones report that info. to 9-1-1 call systems.

[4LOKO]

If I have the free time to talk to the dispatcher for more than 20-30 seconds, it doesn't sound like much of an emergency.

There's a lot of good discussion in this thread. Some people have obviously given it a lot of thought and have a plan that suits their situation. However, sometimes they overlook the simple fact their plan may not be best for every situation. "One Size Fits All" isn't true for clothing and even less for self defense. It's good to think about and discuss questions like this even though there's no "One True Answer" to the questions.

[K5GU]

If I have the free time to talk to the dispatcher for more than 20-30 seconds, it doesn't sound like much of an emergency.

There's a lot of good discussion in this thread. Some people have obviously given it a lot of thought and have a plan that suits their situation. However, sometimes they overlook the simple fact their plan may not be best for every situation. "One Size Fits All" isn't true for clothing and even less for self defense. It's good to think about and discuss questions like this even though there's no "One True Answer" to the questions.

Good points. It's VERY important to think about the possible scenarios and what you can do to be prepared.

[gljjt]

You have just shot someone and they may or may not be dead or dying.

Somehow I doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.

I'm not sure what you mean by ..doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.. I guess it would be a matter of why you called them. If I feel like I might be killed or seriously injured by an attacker and I defend myself the way I was trained, there's a high probability the attacker would be dead, not dying. Like I always say, I hope and pray we never have to find out that way.

If you are involved in any shooting I'm pretty sure the conventional wisdom will be you should only use 911. If the criminal manages to leave, they may still be in the area. Perhaps injured. If you actually hit or kill someone, I strongly suggest 911 is the only option. EMS/PD needs to attend to the person shot even if they are deceased. "They might have lived if you called 911 and not the nonemergency number". They aren't dead until someone with pronouncement authority says they are dead. The brevity rules, with regards to what transpired, will be applied by me while on the phone. But I will call 911 only.

[gljjt]

In other words, if there is a BG in the area, it is an emergency. If I discharge my firearm, it is a real big emergency. Call 911. Immediately. Be the first caller.

[Jim Beaux]

Of course we have to be taciturn and not talk ourselves into a bad shoot, but we also have to behave responsibly.

Not calling 911 after a shooting could work against the shooter. A potential issue could develop that the bg could have survived if he had timely EMT treatment. (think anti LEO or prosecutor)

Also the first thought that came to mind when I read, "not calling 911" was that's cold...sounds like the shooter has a mean steak or maybe a motive, maybe needs time to hide something, maybe he has a "back alley background"....hmmm, organized crime?

If I was on a jury, a shooter not calling emergency would definitely get extra scrutiny.