Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk has joined the let’s-set-up-police-roadblocks-(sobriety checkpoints) bandwagon.
See, Falk—she of the let’s-cover-our-asses-fast reaction to the Dane County 911 Center’s widely reported screw-ups leading to the murder of Brittany Zimmermann—says she wants to change the attitudes towards and culture of Wisconsin drinking.
Gee, changing the culture, that's an interesting if unenlightened, proposed role for politicians and elected officeholders.
Anyway, let’s set up “checkpoints,” she advises our governor.
After thinking you see, Falk “… quickly realized that steps must be taken on the level of state policy to help curb the tide of alcohol abuse," Falk writes to Gov. Doyle, it is reported in the State Journal (Matthew DeFour) this morning.
A “tide” in the culture that we must address by draconian measures like "checkpoints" and criminalization?
Is this the precise, sober analysis that we can expect if we reelect Falk?
How about some checkpoints between Kathleen's Falk's administration, Dane County citizens and the 911 Center; you know that emergency thing that is supposed to work during, like, emergencies?
What I see from Falk is a tide of incompetence and bad judgement that led to a young woman’s murder, and now proposed opportunistic police measures better suited to the roadblock-loving folks of Indiana and the Fourth Amendment-hating Bush Department of Justice.
Maybe she’s hoping her tough-on-drinking stands will cover her incompetence and that of her lackey, Joe Norwick, her political appointment, whom she handpicked to run the 911 center in the first place. But Falk says her opponents should not make "political hay" of the Zimmermann tragedy.
Falk, a liberal with whom I generally agree on policy stands, is displaying either an ignorance or apathy of the propriety of checkpoints and criminalization (we need more people in jail), but I think her long screw-up on the Zimmermann case alone earns her the boot.
And I wish the Zimmermann family well in its wrongful death lawsuit against Falk, which I'm sure Falk will go to considerable lengths to dispute. It's Falk political career that's really important, don't you know?
In any event, much as I despise Nancy Mistele’s (Falk's likely opponent this spring) policy stands and am appalled at the thought of at seeing Mistile for four years in the Exec's seat, it’s time to dump Kathleen Falk, because what's really important is the death of a young woman and the liberties and safety our community exists to defend.
On that score, Falk has fallen down on the job.
Showing posts with label 911 service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 911 service. Show all posts
Aug 10, 2008
US Secret Service and Dane County's 911 Center
by globalgirl and mal contends
Madison, WI - We have heard numerous comments in conversation from friends and family fearful that there are just too many bigoted idiots in America to let Barack Obama live to be president.
Our common response is that: Though I do not know it for a fact, the United States Secret Service, created after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, is surely a dynamic, continuously improving organization. A would-be assassin's shot like that taken at Ronald Reagan in 1981 is undoubtedly nearly impossible today. It would take a military assault to get to Obama, I bet, I hope.
Dane County 911 Center
Closer to home another public service and protection agency, the Dane County 911 Center apparently doesn't have a lessons-learned, dynamic approach to quality improvement.
Matthew Defour's piece in Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal reveals that:
Dane County's emergency dispatch center has kept incomplete and disorganized records of police complaints about its shortcomings, limiting its ability to prevent potentially life-and-death mistakes such as those that happened at the 911 center the day Brittany Zimmermann was killed.
Local police, fire and emergency medical workers are part of the problem -- many do not file formal complaints about 911 mistakes, instead relying on casual communication with center officials to correct shortcomings.
But even problems that are communicated in writing are not systematically being recorded, which experts say would allow dispatch center managers to spot troubling patterns and intercede with training.
No one expects the 911 center to have the sophisication of the Secret Service, but Jesus H., the only apparent dyanmic, lessons-learned phase in place has been the reporting of Bill Lueders and Jason Shepard at Isthmus and the Wisconsin State Journal.
Our common response is that: Though I do not know it for a fact, the United States Secret Service, created after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, is surely a dynamic, continuously improving organization. A would-be assassin's shot like that taken at Ronald Reagan in 1981 is undoubtedly nearly impossible today. It would take a military assault to get to Obama, I bet, I hope.
Dane County 911 Center
Closer to home another public service and protection agency, the Dane County 911 Center apparently doesn't have a lessons-learned, dynamic approach to quality improvement.
Matthew Defour's piece in Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal reveals that:
Dane County's emergency dispatch center has kept incomplete and disorganized records of police complaints about its shortcomings, limiting its ability to prevent potentially life-and-death mistakes such as those that happened at the 911 center the day Brittany Zimmermann was killed.
Local police, fire and emergency medical workers are part of the problem -- many do not file formal complaints about 911 mistakes, instead relying on casual communication with center officials to correct shortcomings.
But even problems that are communicated in writing are not systematically being recorded, which experts say would allow dispatch center managers to spot troubling patterns and intercede with training.
No one expects the 911 center to have the sophisication of the Secret Service, but Jesus H., the only apparent dyanmic, lessons-learned phase in place has been the reporting of Bill Lueders and Jason Shepard at Isthmus and the Wisconsin State Journal.
Jul 15, 2008
Constitutional Incompetence
Dane County's response to the lawsuit filed by the parents of the murdered UW-Madison student, Brittany Zimmermann, is mystifying: the U.S. Constitution "does not require municipalities to rescue persons in distress."
The suit will likely get tossed, but so what?
A young woman was killed, and Dane County failed her.
Settle the suit, and help put this tragedy behind the grieving family. There may not be a constitutional right mandating that our community protects our citizens, but there is an uncontroversial public policy imperative.
A young woman was killed, and Dane County failed her.
Settle the suit, and help put this tragedy behind the grieving family. There may not be a constitutional right mandating that our community protects our citizens, but there is an uncontroversial public policy imperative.
Ed Treleven in the Wisconsin State Journal reports:
A federal civil rights lawsuit filed against Dane County and a former 911 dispatcher by the parents of homicide victim Brittany Zimmermann should be dismissed because the county has no constitutional obligation to protect individuals from the acts of others, a response to the lawsuit states.
The response, written as a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, was filed late last month by private attorneys representing Dane County and former dispatcher Rita Gahagan. They were sued last month by Kevin and Jean Zimmermann in U.S. District Court over the response of the 911 center to a call made from their daughter's cell phone around the time of her death on April 2.
For more information, see:
- Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (Capital Times, May 6)
- County Board chair wants answers on 911 problems (Cap Times, May 6)
- Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (Capital Times, May 6)
- County Board chair wants answers on 911 problems (Cap Times, May 6)
- Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (Capital Times, May 6)
***Note*** Contributions in memory of Ms. Zimmermann may be sent to:
The “Dollars for Brittany” scholarship fund
Care of the Brittany Zimmermann Memorial Fund
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union
P.O. Box 279
Marshfield, WI 54449
The “Dollars for Brittany” scholarship fund
Care of the Brittany Zimmermann Memorial Fund
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union
P.O. Box 279
Marshfield, WI 54449
May 9, 2008
Citizens Leading, Dane County Officials Flailing
Update: Dane County Board spins wheels on Zimmermann 911 call controversy
Madison, WI - "The County Board's mood didn't mirror the public outrage," in questioning "embattled" 911 Center Director Joe Norwick yesterday, reads the Capital Times.
That's likely because the public is of the mind that 911 operators reached ought to err on the side of credulity over disbelief, and callers tend to view defects of these best and needed 911 practices with derision.
There is, the Zimmerman tragedy reveals, a culture of skepticism towards the public at the Dane County 911 Communications Center.
The truth of the matter is Kathleen Falk and her supporters seem interested in political damage control more than anything else.
Reports Nathan J. Comp from yesterday's Norwick appearance:
That seems about right to me. By the way, why in the hell does Joe Norwick still have a job?
Madison, WI - "The County Board's mood didn't mirror the public outrage," in questioning "embattled" 911 Center Director Joe Norwick yesterday, reads the Capital Times.
That's likely because the public is of the mind that 911 operators reached ought to err on the side of credulity over disbelief, and callers tend to view defects of these best and needed 911 practices with derision.
There is, the Zimmerman tragedy reveals, a culture of skepticism towards the public at the Dane County 911 Communications Center.
The truth of the matter is Kathleen Falk and her supporters seem interested in political damage control more than anything else.
Reports Nathan J. Comp from yesterday's Norwick appearance:
... Supervisor Eileen Bruskewitz (District 25) did criticize Kathleen Falk for attending a conference in New York rather than the meeting. This looks more to me like a cover up,' Bruskowitz exclaimed, before Board Chairman Scott McDonell (District 1) scolded her comment as inappropriate. ... Supervisor Kurt Schlicht (District 28) said he has been unimpressed with how Norwick, but particularly Falk, has handled the controversy. 'It does seem funny that the leader isn't here when her 911 director is testifying before two committees,' he said after the meeting. 'She isn't genuine and lacks direction. She is in panic mode, not directional mode.'
That seems about right to me. By the way, why in the hell does Joe Norwick still have a job?
May 8, 2008
Citizens' Committee Needed on 911 Center
Update: Dane County (Madison, WI) Board spins wheels on Zimmermann 911 call controversy
Two committees of the Dane County Board of Supervisors are meeting tonight to gather information on the performance of the Dane County 911 Communications Center in the wake of the murder of Brittany Zimmermann.
Board Chair Scott McDonell and others have called for an audit of the Center focusing on its procedures and whether its procedures are being followed.
It is suggested that such an audit be conducted by an outside firm, free of political considerations.
Good idea.
To complement this reasonable course of action, Dane County needs the establishment of a paid citizens' committee composed of broad communities of interests, devoid of elected officials, and certainly free of civil servants in Dane County, including those serving in the County Executive's office.
Such a committee ought to have as its deliverables:
- The establishment of specific directives to improve the performance of the 911 Communications Center
- A report based on testimony from citizens' use of the 911 service, testimony from UW officials in light of the administration's charge of in loco parentis (and the related duty to prevent the murder of UW students), and the testimony from law enforcement personnel on public safety.
Hard questions need to be asked.
The communities of interests ought to include representatives of the University administration, students, residents, bloggers, retirees, metaphorical bomb throwers, professors, and as wide a cross-section of the county as feasible, and should be fully funded by the City and County.
For example, the members ought include such people as the curmudgeon at the Rustic, the Vietnam vet on Butler Street, and most anybody free of 911-related career and political considerations, but indignant about the fact that We all failed Brittany Zimmerman.
Elected and non-elected civil servants, and law enforcement officials have been making statements today that they are saying too much, perhaps interfering with police investigations.
Maybe so, but many, perhaps most, residents feel a lack of trust toward the County and City on this matter, and secrecy in the absence of a citizens' committee is not the best course of action at this point.
It's worth noting that this issue came to light becaue of the investigative reporting of Jason Shepard in Isthmus and that the community and Shepard were obstructed during and after his piece.
Two committees of the Dane County Board of Supervisors are meeting tonight to gather information on the performance of the Dane County 911 Communications Center in the wake of the murder of Brittany Zimmermann.
Board Chair Scott McDonell and others have called for an audit of the Center focusing on its procedures and whether its procedures are being followed.
It is suggested that such an audit be conducted by an outside firm, free of political considerations.
Good idea.
To complement this reasonable course of action, Dane County needs the establishment of a paid citizens' committee composed of broad communities of interests, devoid of elected officials, and certainly free of civil servants in Dane County, including those serving in the County Executive's office.
Such a committee ought to have as its deliverables:
- The establishment of specific directives to improve the performance of the 911 Communications Center
- A report based on testimony from citizens' use of the 911 service, testimony from UW officials in light of the administration's charge of in loco parentis (and the related duty to prevent the murder of UW students), and the testimony from law enforcement personnel on public safety.
Hard questions need to be asked.
The communities of interests ought to include representatives of the University administration, students, residents, bloggers, retirees, metaphorical bomb throwers, professors, and as wide a cross-section of the county as feasible, and should be fully funded by the City and County.
For example, the members ought include such people as the curmudgeon at the Rustic, the Vietnam vet on Butler Street, and most anybody free of 911-related career and political considerations, but indignant about the fact that We all failed Brittany Zimmerman.
Elected and non-elected civil servants, and law enforcement officials have been making statements today that they are saying too much, perhaps interfering with police investigations.
Maybe so, but many, perhaps most, residents feel a lack of trust toward the County and City on this matter, and secrecy in the absence of a citizens' committee is not the best course of action at this point.
It's worth noting that this issue came to light becaue of the investigative reporting of Jason Shepard in Isthmus and that the community and Shepard were obstructed during and after his piece.
Misplaced Police Priorities
Amid the discordant political backdrop, recriminations abound about whether the murder of a 21-year-old UW-Madison woman could have been prevented.
Aside from proposed audits and spirited defenses of the Dane County 911 Communications Center and other Dane County officials, it's worth noting the priorities and policies of local law enforcement agencies here. [I hope not to read the word 'leadership' again; it doesn't exist on this matter.]
As the routine break-up of house parties and the pursuit by police of other frequent illegal college recreational pastimes continue apace here, one wonders if police officers foot-patrolling neighborhoods at night with the objective of protecting property and persons might be a better use of limited police resources vis-a-vis busting a 19-year-old for having a beer or smoking a joint on campus.
And one less parking meter boy (like that pathetic guy who wears the floppy safari hat), and one more officer walking on the street looking out for a female student walking home at night from the library would certainly do.
The culture of skepticism of callers' intent that pervades the 911 call center, '(s)hort-staffed almost always' (Isthmus), ought to draw the attention of the proposed audit, as well.
The imperatives of judgment, discretion, and priorities in public safety become clearer when tragedy strikes.
Local Media for Coverage of Brittany Zimmermann Fall-out
- Isthmus
- Uppity Wisconsin
- Dane County 101
- Capital Times
- Wisconsin State Journal
County/City Resources
- Madison Common Council: Alders
- Board of Supervisors - Dane County, Wisconsin
- Dane County 911 Communications Center
- Madison Police Department
- Dane County Executive
Aside from proposed audits and spirited defenses of the Dane County 911 Communications Center and other Dane County officials, it's worth noting the priorities and policies of local law enforcement agencies here. [I hope not to read the word 'leadership' again; it doesn't exist on this matter.]
As the routine break-up of house parties and the pursuit by police of other frequent illegal college recreational pastimes continue apace here, one wonders if police officers foot-patrolling neighborhoods at night with the objective of protecting property and persons might be a better use of limited police resources vis-a-vis busting a 19-year-old for having a beer or smoking a joint on campus.
And one less parking meter boy (like that pathetic guy who wears the floppy safari hat), and one more officer walking on the street looking out for a female student walking home at night from the library would certainly do.
The culture of skepticism of callers' intent that pervades the 911 call center, '(s)hort-staffed almost always' (Isthmus), ought to draw the attention of the proposed audit, as well.
The imperatives of judgment, discretion, and priorities in public safety become clearer when tragedy strikes.
Local Media for Coverage of Brittany Zimmermann Fall-out
- Isthmus
- Uppity Wisconsin
- Dane County 101
- Capital Times
- Wisconsin State Journal
County/City Resources
- Madison Common Council: Alders
- Board of Supervisors - Dane County, Wisconsin
- Dane County 911 Communications Center
- Madison Police Department
- Dane County Executive
May 4, 2008
Capital Times' Coverage Lagging in UW-Madison Death
Update: Cap Times back on it: See - Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (Capital Times, May 6) and County Board chair wants answers on 911 problems (Cap Times, May 6).
- Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (Capital Times, May 6)
via MAL Contends
I was sorry to see the Capital Times hard copy newspaper go, but I told a friend its online iteration was an innovation that would see it stay on the bleeding edge of technology in bringing Dane County residents the news.
But Isthmus and the Wisconsin State Journal have been massacring the Capital Times in their coverage of the biggest local news story that has residents outraged—the Brittany Zimmermann murder and the failure of the Dane County 911 Center to send a police unit in time to save her life.
But Isthmus and the Wisconsin State Journal have been massacring the Capital Times in their coverage of the biggest local news story that has residents outraged—the Brittany Zimmermann murder and the failure of the Dane County 911 Center to send a police unit in time to save her life.
No doubt the Capital Times remains dedicated to bringing readers the news, but as measured by breaking coverage, general and investigative reporting, and incisive editorial comment, Isthmus and the Wisconsin State Journal are the go-to media for the latest on the Brittany Zimmermann murder and the Dane County 911 Center scandal.
The Capital Times has prided itself on its historical commitment to covering local issues of concern to readers.
But its start as an online medium as exemplified in its coverage on the Brittany Zimmermann murder-Dane County 911 Center story is inauspicious.
***Note*** Contributions in memory of Ms. Zimmermann may be sent to:
The “Dollars for Brittany” scholarship fund
Care of the Brittany Zimmermann Memorial Fund
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union
P.O. Box 279
Marshfield, WI 54449
Care of the Brittany Zimmermann Memorial Fund
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union
P.O. Box 279
Marshfield, WI 54449
May 1, 2008
Dane County 911 Center Looks to Save Itself in Wake of Murder of 21-year-old Woman
WI State Journal Edit (May 4, 2008), No apology? You better find one. WI State Journal (p.1) (May 4, 2008) 2004 report warned of 911 Center problems; Co officials warned to increase staffing, change procedures. - Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (WSJ, May 6) - Expert calls Dane County 911 staffing inadequate (WSJ, May 6)
The first rule in crisis management for public servants is not Save your ass.
It's serve the public.
So when the public clamors for answers about why a 21-year-old UW-Madison student was murdered in early April, and asks what could have been done to prevent her death, the response ought to be openness, transparency and honesty.
Unfortunately, the Dane County 911 Center doesn't see it that way, and the stonewalling has begun.
Jason Shepard writing for the Madison weekly, Isthmus, has run into a brickwall in his reporting on the death of Brittany Zimmermann (pictured above; Isthmus Publishing Co.).
Shepard broke a story today that Zimmermann "called 911 before she was stabbed and beaten to death inside her Doty Street apartment, but the 911 Center failed to send help after erroneously concluding the call was a mistake."
Now, as the media and an appalled public look for answers, Shepard, and Isthmus, are being shut out by the Dane County 911 Center.
Writes Shepard:
Over the past two and a half weeks, the 911 Center has refused requests for basic information about the calls. This week, Joe Norwick, director of the Dane County 911 Center since July, declined further opportunities to comment after being provided with a written summary of parts of this story.
In an email, Norwick said he was basing his refusal on a request from the Madison Police Department to withhold all information 'pertaining to this matter' because release would 'seriously impair' the murder investigation.
Bullshit.
Reports Bill Lueders in Isthmus:
At a press conferencethis afternoon, Madison Police Chief Noble Wray responded to the growing media feeding frenzy over the Brittany Zimmermann case by tossing a body to the assembled hungry reporters. His name was Joe Norwick. ... Wray released a statement saying 'there is evidence in the call, which should have resulted in a Madison police officer being dispatched.' He provided a copy of the MPD’s policy, which says officers should be dispatched to cell phone calls if the dispatcher 'has reason to believe that police services are needed.' Wray also confirmed that 'technology exists where we can get either very close to, or the exact location' of, a cell-phone call.
So, is Chief Wray seriously impairing the murder investigation in being open about what happened in the 911 call?
No, he's leveling with the public that he has sworn to protect and serve.
Norwick should step up, now, and release the tape, and offer a full accounting of what happened.
The first rule in crisis management for public servants is not Save your ass.
It's serve the public.
So when the public clamors for answers about why a 21-year-old UW-Madison student was murdered in early April, and asks what could have been done to prevent her death, the response ought to be openness, transparency and honesty.
Unfortunately, the Dane County 911 Center doesn't see it that way, and the stonewalling has begun.
Jason Shepard writing for the Madison weekly, Isthmus, has run into a brickwall in his reporting on the death of Brittany Zimmermann (pictured above; Isthmus Publishing Co.).
Shepard broke a story today that Zimmermann "called 911 before she was stabbed and beaten to death inside her Doty Street apartment, but the 911 Center failed to send help after erroneously concluding the call was a mistake."
Now, as the media and an appalled public look for answers, Shepard, and Isthmus, are being shut out by the Dane County 911 Center.
Writes Shepard:
Over the past two and a half weeks, the 911 Center has refused requests for basic information about the calls. This week, Joe Norwick, director of the Dane County 911 Center since July, declined further opportunities to comment after being provided with a written summary of parts of this story.
In an email, Norwick said he was basing his refusal on a request from the Madison Police Department to withhold all information 'pertaining to this matter' because release would 'seriously impair' the murder investigation.
Bullshit.
Reports Bill Lueders in Isthmus:
At a press conferencethis afternoon, Madison Police Chief Noble Wray responded to the growing media feeding frenzy over the Brittany Zimmermann case by tossing a body to the assembled hungry reporters. His name was Joe Norwick. ... Wray released a statement saying 'there is evidence in the call, which should have resulted in a Madison police officer being dispatched.' He provided a copy of the MPD’s policy, which says officers should be dispatched to cell phone calls if the dispatcher 'has reason to believe that police services are needed.' Wray also confirmed that 'technology exists where we can get either very close to, or the exact location' of, a cell-phone call.
So, is Chief Wray seriously impairing the murder investigation in being open about what happened in the 911 call?
No, he's leveling with the public that he has sworn to protect and serve.
Norwick should step up, now, and release the tape, and offer a full accounting of what happened.
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