Turns out the 911 operator in Pittsbugh did not warn officers who showed up

[Wheezer]

Text

PITTSBURGH ? The mother of a man charged with killing three Pittsburgh police officers told a 911 dispatcher he had weapons, but the dispatcher didn't relay that information to officers, the official in charge of county dispatchers told a newspaper.

The dispatcher should have asked more questions about the weapons, but didn't, and certainly should have told officers so they could take necessary precautions, Allegheny County Chief of Emergency Services Robert Full told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for a story Tuesday.

"There is no excuse. It could have been handled better, without a doubt," Full told the newspaper for Tuesday's editions.

Richard Poplawski's mother, Margaret, had dialed 911 to summon police after threatening to evict him.

Unknown to her, she told police, her 23-year-old son was armed and waiting for the police when they arrived Saturday morning. He shot officer Paul Sciullo II, 37, in the home and officer Stephen Mayhle, 29, on the front stoop within seconds of their arrival, and then shot officer Eric Kelly, 41, in the street as he arrived to back them up, prompting a four-hour siege and gun battle with police, authorities said.

Poplawski was wearing a bulletproof vest and was armed with a variety of weapons, including an AK-47 assault rifle, authorities said.

He is also accused of firing into two neighboring homes, injuring nobody, and at nine other police officers, including one who was wounded as he tended to Kelly.

Poplawski's public defender has declined to discuss the case. He is being held without bond and faces an April 17 preliminary hearing on criminal homicide, attempted homicide and other charges.

Full said the dispatcher, who has been on the job less than a year, is on paid administrative leave and is receiving counseling.

In a recording of the call that county officials played for the newspaper, Margaret Poplawski sounded impatient as she called 911 at about 7 a.m. and asked for police to come take her son out of the house.

"Are you moving or what? Or the police gotta come?" she asks.

"Does he have any weapons or anything?" the dispatcher asked.

"Yes," the mother said. After a long pause, she added, "They're all legal."

"OK, but he's not threatening you with anything?" the dispatcher said.

Without answering, Margaret Poplawski mother said, "Look, I'm just waking up from a sleep. I want him gone."

"OK, we'll send 'em over, OK?" the dispatcher said.

"Sounds good," the mother said, as the call ends.

Police union president James Malloy said officers would have responded differently had they known Poplawski had weapons.

"You approach the house with a different attitude. You approach the house from a distance," said Malloy, a retired police sergeant. "You park your car a distance from the house so you can hit the dirt."

The officers will lie in state at the City-County Building downtown on Wednesday before all three will be honored at a memorial service at the Petersen Events Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus on Thursday. The 12,000-seat basketball arena was chosen because authorities expect police and other dignitaries from around the country to attend.

As the city mourned, new information emerged about the suspect from his Internet postings.

Internet rantings found on a white supremacist Web site, Stormfront.org, indicate Poplawski was preoccupied with the idea that President Barack Obama was going to overturn the Second Amendment and that Jews were secretly running the country.

He posted a shirtless picture of himself showing off a large tattoo of a spread-winged eagle below his collarbone.

Postings made by others on the extremist Web site after the Pittsburgh shooting encourage people to buy assault rifles because they suspect the arms will be banned after a string of mass shootings in the past month, including one in Oakland, Calif., where four officers were killed and another in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday when a gunman killed 13 people before killing himself.

I am sure that this person is going to have to live with the guilt and rightly so, at the same time however...paid administrative leave is not enough...there should be criminal charges filed....3 people died because of his or her ineptness and stupidity.

 

[Genx87]

Our 911 system is in shambles. How many of these stories have we heard about them not knowing what the fuck to do or flat out arguing with people who are being killed?

Then we find out in some states there is no requirement for training? Excuse me wtf?

 

[FaaR]

Not trying to excuse the dispatcher's behavior, but isn't it standard police procedure to look up information in advance on a possible suspect, and if so, would not legal firearms show up in such a search?

First reaction after something bad happening these days always seem to be 'who can we find to blame this on'. Kinda sad really.

 

[halik]

How come all these people with psychological issues can get CWP and pass background checks at the gun store?

I've got an idea - how about we stop trying to grab guns from normal people, and instead focus on closing the loopholes that let nuts get firearms. Guy that was thrown out of the marines for psychological defects shouldn't be able to buy ammo, much less get a CWP.

 

[ajf3]

Pretty sure the mom was lying about the firearms being legal... I read that his girlfriend got a PFA back in 2005 which I think prevents him from owning guns in PA.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Wheezer
I am sure that this person is going to have to live with the guilt and rightly so, at the same time however...paid administrative leave is not enough...there should be criminal charges filed....3 people died because of his or her ineptness and stupidity.

No, 3 people died because a psychofvck killed them. I'm sure there were various things that could have been done better.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: ajf3
Pretty sure the mom was lying about the firearms being legal... I read that his girlfriend got a PFA back in 2005 which I think prevents him from owning guns in PA.

Yeah my brother tells me that dishonorable discharge is like a felony in that sense, you can't legally own guns.

 

[Wheezer]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Wheezer
I am sure that this person is going to have to live with the guilt and rightly so, at the same time however...paid administrative leave is not enough...there should be criminal charges filed....3 people died because of his or her ineptness and stupidity.

No, 3 people died because a psychofvck killed them. I'm sure there were various things that could have been done better.

I agree with you, the number one cause of this was the guy on the opposite end of the barrel.

However, he was determined to kill someone..specifically police officers, these three just happened to be the ones that showed up. This 911 dispatcher was to act as a check valve, and to retrieve whatever intel they could gather and to provide that information to these officers so that they could be prepared.

"forewarned is forearmed" and these officers were neither because of this dispatcher, they might as well have gone in there naked and blindfolded because of his or her lack of action.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Wheezer
Internet rantings found on a white supremacist Web site, Stormfront.org, indicate Poplawski was preoccupied with the idea that President Barack Obama was going to overturn the Second Amendment and that Jews were secretly running the country.

He posted a shirtless picture of himself showing off a large tattoo of a spread-winged eagle below his collarbone.

Postings made by others on the extremist Web site after the Pittsburgh shooting encourage people to buy assault rifles because they suspect the arms will be banned after a string of mass shootings in the past month, including one in Oakland, Calif., where four officers were killed and another in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday when a gunman killed 13 people before killing himself.

These people are nuts! :Q

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: Wheezer
Internet rantings found on a white supremacist Web site, Stormfront.org, indicate Poplawski was preoccupied with the idea that President Barack Obama was going to overturn the Second Amendment and that Jews were secretly running the country.

He posted a shirtless picture of himself showing off a large tattoo of a spread-winged eagle below his collarbone.

Postings made by others on the extremist Web site after the Pittsburgh shooting encourage people to buy assault rifles because they suspect the arms will be banned after a string of mass shootings in the past month, including one in Oakland, Calif., where four officers were killed and another in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday when a gunman killed 13 people before killing himself.

These people are nuts! :Q

Have you seen the suicide note by the guy in NY?

Weird.

Basically got a harassing text message. He said he was going to call the police, and the other party responded that they were the police. He lived the next few years thinking everyone was an undercover cop out to get him. Including taking shits on the floor of his living room.

Then he ended the note with "so they must die. Have a nice day."



Ah found it.

Date March 18 2009

Dear NEW TEN NOW

I am Jiverly Wong Shooting the people.

The first I want to say sorry I know a little English. I hope you understand all of this. Of course you need to know why I shooting? Because undercover cop gave me a lot of ass during eighteen years I got seven years and eight month delivery to grocery in the California came back New York on the August 2007.

Let talk about when I live in California. Such as...cop used 24 hours the technique of ultramodern and camera for burn the chemical in my house. For switch the channel time...For adjust the fan. For made me unbreathable. For made me vomit. For connect the music into my ear.

Undercover cop usual coined some nasty was not true about me and spread a rumour to the receiver and some people know me conduce toward many people predudiced and selfish to me...cop made me lost my job...cop put me became poor.

Let talk about when I live at the 28 Baker St. 2nd Floor, Johnson City, New York 13790. It terrible when I live there such as...cop wait until midnight when I off the light and went to the bed. Cop unlock my door and came in take a sit in my room ((cop did it thirteen time on the year 1994 )) on the thirteen time had three time touch me when I sleeping. One time stolen 20 dollar in my wallet. One time used electric gun shoot at the behind my neck. (That time I did not know English)

Please continue second page thank you.

Page 2

From 1990 to 1995 New York undercover cop try to get a car accident with me. Such as when I driving on the highway and on the street undercover cop sunddenly brake the car stop immediately at the of front my car...cop did it 32 time like that during 1990 to 1995 but I never hit the car.

Many time from 1990 to 1997 at the day time...cop exploit unknow English and went to my house knock the door for harass and domineer. Of course during that time cop coined something was not true about me and spread a rumour nasty like the California cop.

From August 2007 until now cop gave me not to much ass only one time cop leave a massage in my voice mail and said (( come back your country )) after five minute I send a text massage to them I said I will call the police and they send it back to me they said they are the police.

Dear New Ten Now. Right now I still get unemploment benefit of the company Shop Vac Endicott. New York State Department of Labor was cheat and unpaid from December 1st 2008 to December 28th 2008 I already claim weekly benefit from that date.

Any way I can not accepted my poor life. Before I cut my poor life I must oneself get a judge job for make an impartial with undercover cop by at least two people with me go to return to the dust of earth.

Already impartial now..cop bring about this shooting. cop must responsible. And you have a nice day.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: ajf3
Pretty sure the mom was lying about the firearms being legal... I read that his girlfriend got a PFA back in 2005 which I think prevents him from owning guns in PA.

Bingo. Either the mother was lying, or, more likely, the son lied to her and she was misinformed.

A PFA would disqualify anyone, anywhere in the US from owning firearms. So would a dishonorable discharge. Poplawski was not legally permitted to possess firearms.

ZV

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Wheezer

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Wheezer
I am sure that this person is going to have to live with the guilt and rightly so, at the same time however...paid administrative leave is not enough...there should be criminal charges filed....3 people died because of his or her ineptness and stupidity.

No, 3 people died because a psychofvck killed them. I'm sure there were various things that could have been done better.

I agree with you, the number one cause of this was the guy on the opposite end of the barrel.

However, he was determined to kill someone..specifically police officers, these three just happened to be the ones that showed up. This 911 dispatcher was to act as a check valve, and to retrieve whatever intel they could gather and to provide that information to these officers so that they could be prepared.

"forewarned is forearmed" and these officers were neither because of this dispatcher, they might as well have gone in there naked and blindfolded because of his or her lack of action.

Fine so fire her if this turns out to be the case. It is absurd that you think there should be some type of criminal charges fired against her though.

 

[Wheezer]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: Wheezer

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Wheezer
I am sure that this person is going to have to live with the guilt and rightly so, at the same time however...paid administrative leave is not enough...there should be criminal charges filed....3 people died because of his or her ineptness and stupidity.

No, 3 people died because a psychofvck killed them. I'm sure there were various things that could have been done better.

I agree with you, the number one cause of this was the guy on the opposite end of the barrel.

However, he was determined to kill someone..specifically police officers, these three just happened to be the ones that showed up. This 911 dispatcher was to act as a check valve, and to retrieve whatever intel they could gather and to provide that information to these officers so that they could be prepared.

"forewarned is forearmed" and these officers were neither because of this dispatcher, they might as well have gone in there naked and blindfolded because of his or her lack of action.

Fine so fire her if this turns out to be the case. It is absurd that you think there should be some type of criminal charges fired against her though.

Really?.....you do not find the actions of this 911 operator to be criminally negligent?

Part of the operators JOB was to protect these officers going into a hostile environment by providing them with as much information as possible so that they could handle the situation accordingly. We are not talking about Joe citizen who is conversing with the officers telling them that some dude is inside beating up his mom.

We are talking about someone who is specifically in place to relay information to the officers so that situations like this can be avoided. They were given the information and failed to act accordingly.

If the mother had not said ANYTHING about weapons that would not be the fault of the operator. That is not the case....he/she was told that there were weapons on the premises, legal or not has no bearing. This operator was negligent in their duties that resulted in the death of three officers. Pretty serious consequences that deserve a pretty serious serious punishment....simply firing someone is not serious punishment in this case.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: ajf3
Pretty sure the mom was lying about the firearms being legal... I read that his girlfriend got a PFA back in 2005 which I think prevents him from owning guns in PA.

Yeah my brother tells me that dishonorable discharge is like a felony in that sense, you can't legally own guns.

In MN this is true for pistols and assault rifles. It asks if you have been dishonorably discharged from the military. I believe the federal background check also asks if you buy other weapons like hunting rifles and shotguns. Like to know where he got his weapons.

 

[Thump553]

That Pittsburgh article really brought it home for me how the most routine call (from the knowledge held by the cops) can erupt into a true sh*tstorm.

Both situations, but especially the Binghamton shooter's letter, show how devastating mental illness can be, especially when combined with a self-centered callousness on the shooter's part.

 

[Fingolfin269]

This person screwed up at doing the job. The 3 people died because they got shot.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: halik
How come all these people with psychological issues can get CWP and pass background checks at the gun store?

I've got an idea - how about we stop trying to grab guns from normal people, and instead focus on closing the loopholes that let nuts get firearms. Guy that was thrown out of the marines for psychological defects shouldn't be able to buy ammo, much less get a CWP.

While I would hate to have more morons running around with guns the 2nd ammnd isn't supose to discriminate, just like any Nazi, physco person can say anything he wants without being prosecuted.

I would think all 911 calls would mean weapons drawn and ready for action. If I started shooting and the attacker wasn't being phased much, I would go for a head shot or thigh shot to hit a major artery.

Another reason cops shouldn't be armed with 9's that can't penetrate shit.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: halik
How come all these people with psychological issues can get CWP and pass background checks at the gun store?

I've got an idea - how about we stop trying to grab guns from normal people, and instead focus on closing the loopholes that let nuts get firearms. Guy that was thrown out of the marines for psychological defects shouldn't be able to buy ammo, much less get a CWP.

While I would hate to have more morons running around with guns the 2nd ammnd isn't supose to discriminate, just like any Nazi, physco person can say anything he wants without being prosecuted.

I would think all 911 calls would mean weapons drawn and ready for action. If I started shooting and the attacker wasn't being phased much, I would go for a head shot or thigh shot to hit a major artery.

Another reason cops shouldn't be armed with 9's that can't penetrate shit.

So it's discriminating people under 18, felons etc. ?
There's long line of legal precedents that show that government can regulate constitutional rights, exactly why felons or people under age can't buy guns. I fail to see how that would be any different with people with psychological issues.

 

[slayer202]

this article is kind of an exxageration.

all the lady said was yes he has weapons, but they are legal. If someone said they had a legal weapon and I had to guess what it was I would have guessed a bat or knife before I guessed automatic rifle. the operator should have asked more though. seems like the lady on the phone was pretty calm though so maybe the operator didn't think it was such a big deal.

sucks :/

 

[dbk]

Well, what is the SOP regarding any weapons identified by the call?
Aside from legal ownership - doesn't the operator have to dig a little deeper about the weapons in order to provide the authorities that same information?

 

[43st]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: Wheezer
Internet rantings found on a white supremacist Web site, Stormfront.org, indicate Poplawski was preoccupied with the idea that President Barack Obama was going to overturn the Second Amendment and that Jews were secretly running the country.

He posted a shirtless picture of himself showing off a large tattoo of a spread-winged eagle below his collarbone.

Postings made by others on the extremist Web site after the Pittsburgh shooting encourage people to buy assault rifles because they suspect the arms will be banned after a string of mass shootings in the past month, including one in Oakland, Calif., where four officers were killed and another in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday when a gunman killed 13 people before killing himself.

These people are nuts! :Q

There are a few shows on tv calling for gun stockpiling and militias now. they should have their pants removed and shot.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: slayer202
I would have guessed a bat or knife before I guessed automatic rifle.

He did not have an "automatic rifle". He had a semi-automatic rifle. One bullet per trigger pull. No different from a revolver or the handguns the police officers carry in their normal duties.

ZV

 

[cubeless]

it sure is easy to blame people...

all the cops i know (including my next door neighbor), when answering a domestic dispute call, ask the dispatcher a bunch more about the situation, to be sure that they know as much as possible going in... they don't rely on what they get told initially... they hate domestic disputes, they're the most obnoxious calls and end up in scuffles too often...

it's apparent that this guy wanted to do damage... why didn't mom mention that he was wearing body armour??? maybe they need to charge mom, too...

and again as devils advocate, if we're apportioning blame then it seems that those cops were pretty complacent to all get caught...

the whole situation sucks, but jumping to blame someone besides the shooter is just too easy when this kind of thing happens...

i have nothing but respect and condolences for the cops and their families in this horrible event...

but all parties besides the shooter are just people who may or may not have seen or thought or recognized the danger...

can 911 be better? sure... but at the end of the day it's all just people and that's always going to be a big variable...

 

[Firebot]

He had legal weapons. Nothing to see here, the 2nd amendment gave him that right to carry those arms, and the 911 operator was in the right to not be alarmed as it was all perfectly legal.

 

[JSt0rm]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Our 911 system is in shambles. How many of these stories have we heard about them not knowing what the fuck to do or flat out arguing with people who are being killed?

Then we find out in some states there is no requirement for training? Excuse me wtf?

I know. We need to privatize 911. Only with competition and no oversite will it truly work.