An Oregon woman was told by a 911 dispatcher that authorities wouldn’t be able be able to help her as her ex-boyfriend broke into her place because of budget cuts.
Oregon Public Radio reports that an unidentified woman called 911 during a weekend in August 2012 while Michael Bellah was breaking into her place. Her call was forwarded to Oregon State Police because of lay-offs at the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office only allows the department to be open Monday through Friday.
“Uh, I don’t have anybody to send out there,” the 911 dispatcher told the woman. “You know, obviously, if he comes inside the residence and assaults you, can you ask him to go away? Do you know if he’s intoxicated or anything?”
The woman told the dispatcher that Bellah previously attacked her and left her hospitalized a few weeks prior to the latest incident. The dispatcher stayed on the phone with the woman for more than 10 minutes before the sexual assault took place.
“Once again it’s unfortunate you guys don’t have any law enforcement out there,” the dispatcher said, according to Oregon Public Radio.
The woman responded: “Yeah, it doesn’t matter, if he gets in the house I’m done.”
Police say Bellah choked the woman and sexually assaulted her. He was arrested by Oregon State Police following the incident.
“There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t have another victim,” Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilberson told Oregon Public Radio. “If you don’t pay the bill, you don’t get the service.”
The sheriff’s department had to cut 23 deputies and the entire major crimes unit after it lost a multi-million dollar federal subsidy, according to Oregon Public Radio. There are now only six deputies left.
The sheriff’s department even put out a press release warning domestic violence victims to “consider relocating to an area with adequate law enforcement services.”
Bellah pleaded guilty to kidnapping, sex abuse and assault.
Source: cbslocal
one day soon 911 will not even answer o_o
All the moe reason for citizens to acquire a firearm and learn how to use it. Had she been armed, the suspect would be pushing up daisies and she would have escaped being a victim.
In the toxic, and backwards political climate today….they’d be arresting her for defending herself with a weapon….IDIOTS!!!
How did they come up with the manpower to go arrest him following the attack? Why could they not have sent those arresting officers to actually stop the crime?
Women should “always carry pepper spray with them…ALWAYS.”
As you walk out of a store, especially at night, keep it in your hand.
Another weapon is something we would not ordinarily think about is your key chain.
BEFORE you walk out of a store at night to your car, take your key chain out of your purse. Place a key (pointing outward) between every finger…then make a fist.
IF anyone tries to attack, go for the eyes!