T-shirts often sport words of wisdom

When I first started as a dispatcher, one of my friends sent me a humorous T-shirt. Little did I know how appropriate it would end up to be. It read “911 is for emergencies – Save the Drama for Your Mama.”

Pretty harsh, I thought at the time. Now, I have a few years under my belt and I realize just how insightful it has proven to be. Misuse of 911 is a punishable offense and may result in harsh penalties for the caller and, worse, dire consequences for those who are having a real emergency.

It is not OK to call 911 for any of the following: road conditions, nonemergency phone numbers, dogs barking, loud music, things that happened last week, the name of the responding officer that just left, an incorrect order at the drive-thru window, etc.

Before you say it couldn’t happen, let me assure you it most certainly has. Call 311 if it’s urgent but not emergent. The nonemergency number is 702-293-9224.

If you can’t remember, call 411. They’ll be happy to look it up for you.

On the lighter side, here are some of my favorite dispatcher quotes: “I’m the heart behind the line,” “I tell cops where to go,” “911 dispatcher, what’s your superpower?,” “In God we trust — everyone else we run through NCIC,” “911 mom, your worst day is my every day,” “The heroes you don’t see,” and “My heart is behind every call!”

Now, let’s see what’s been happening around town.

March 3. Panhandling: Two subjects hitching a ride and panhandling for money were warned and decided to continue their journey to the Hot Springs sooner than later at 11:05 a.m. in the 1000 block of Nevada Way.

Parking: A vehicle is cited and towed for parking in a no parking/red curb zone at 2:27 p.m. in the area of Wyoming Street and Nevada Way.

Thought for the day: That was a pretty expensive trip to the hardware store.

March 4. Collision: A juvenile riding a skateboard in the street is hit by a vehicle at 3:29 p.m. in the 700 block of Avenue G.

Family disturbance: Subjects get into an altercation and one leaves on foot while the other follows and calls police at 5:20 p.m. in the area of Cottonwood and Del Rey drives.

Thought for the day: Skateboards are no match for a motor vehicle. Remind youngsters to stay clear of the roadways.

March 5. DUI: The driver believes if she refuses to cooperate that officers will give up but that’s not happening today at 5:14 a.m. in the area of Buchanan Boulevard and Elm Street.

Parking: Several vehicles are tagged and/or towed this week for illegal parking at 10:30 a.m. in the 1500 block of Foothill Drive.

Thought for the day: The city has fairly clear rules on parking and any brush-up can easily be found by accessing the city’s Web page and municipal code section.

March 6. Domestic: A subject flags down an officer indicating an altercation with the “other half” regarding the decision to stay in Nevada or drive to Arizona at 9:51 a.m. in the area of Veterans Memorial Drive and U.S. Highway 93.

Suspicious: The caller is suspicious of the men approaching her neighbor’s house carrying buckets; however, they are workers for Cox Cable burying cable on a Sunday at 10:34 a.m. in the 1300 block of Marwood Street.

Thought for the day: Vacation planning goes awry with too many bloody mary’s for breakfast.

March 7. Trespassing: A caller wants to trespass a way-too-friendly neighbor at 7:06 a.m. in the 600 block of Avenue L.

Found property: Officers respond to a report of a found weapon at 3:07 p.m. in the area of the Pro Gun Club on U.S. Highway 95.

Thought for the day: Perhaps 7 a.m. is a bit early for unannounced visiting.

March 8. Welfare check: The caller states the man in the Superman T-shirt is staggering all over the road and would like us to check on him at 8:59 a.m. in the area of Utah Street and Adams Boulevard.

Threats: The intoxicated man is outside causing a disturbance and making threats at 6:50 p.m. in the 1300 block of Potosi Street.

Thought for the day: Walking in the roadway and wearing a Superman T-shirt isn’t the way to stay under the radar.

March 9. Vehicle burglary: The caller is surprised when an unlocked vehicle is rummaged through and cash, checks and other items are missing at 7:31 a.m. in the 1500 block of Mancha Drive.

Suspicious: The sandbag on the street is somewhat suspicious to the pedestrian at 5:25 p.m. in the area of the police department.

Thought for the day: Take a minute and check those car locks twice before heading inside for the night. There are always those out there looking for an easy mark.

Call of the week: Suspicious: The caller states someone keeps ringing the doorbell and running away. Officers locate the culprit, who has mistakenly chosen a house not belonging to her new boyfriend and she is the one with the big surprise at 1:17 a.m. in the 1300 block of Georgia Avenue on March 6.

Tina Ransom is a dispatcher with Boulder City Police Department. She is coordinator of the Boulder City Citizen’s Academy.