PA State Police Reading

[esh21167]

Does that PSP barracks provide the only police coverage for where your friend lives? If not, first call would go to either 911 or the local police.

Regardless, no excuse for how you were treated.

[JAKIII]

I have a friend who's wife is suffering from dementia who lives in their area and they have been to their home several times over it. He sent out an email telling that he had to call them recently because she went missing early in the morning and the dispatcher laughed at him and told him to go find her himself and he's asking for advice on who to call about it. Aren't they the first line in search and rescue cases? What is the best way for him to solve this problem?

Wouldn't the local county dispatch or 911 center dispatch LE who have jurisdiction of that area, (i.e., was it PSP who answered the phone and laughed)?

Is it reasonable to expect LE to devote resources "several times" for the same issue? There but for the grace of God go I... although, it seems your friend needs help or advice getting his situation under control, such as adult daycare.

[ar15jules]

I am not saying that it didn't happen, but sometimes someone who feels that they have been treated poorly misinterpret things. I think the advice to obtain a copy of the 911 call is good advice. He can listen to it while not under any type of duress. If it is in fact as he indicated, then that is pretty shitty.

[Royinmontco]

I believe in PA 911 calls are exempt from FOIA laws. You may need a subpoena.

[theshadow]

I have a friend who's wife is suffering from dementia who lives in their area and they have been to their home several times over it. He sent out an email telling that he had to call them recently because she went missing early in the morning and the dispatcher laughed at him and told him to go find her himself and he's asking for advice on who to call about it. Aren't they the first line in search and rescue cases? What is the best way for him to solve this problem?

Since PA is a Commonwealth, Search and Rescue falls under the purview of the lowest level of Law enforcement in the jurisdiction. This is triggered by calling 911 and reporting a SAR incident. Dispatches are taken at the county level and routed to Fire, Police, or EMS as appropriate. Living in Reading, there are multiple SAR Teams in your area and the PSP Barracks HAVE been trained on Project Lifesaver which could be of assistance in this case. DM me, I'll give you a contact for a local SAR team. Unfortunately, Dementia is taking over as a leading cause for SAR call outs, it is very troubling for the family to "loose" your loved one in front of your eyes.

I write this from the perspective of a former leader of a Search Team.

[Noah_Zark]

Get a FOIA request for the 911 call tape and attach it to a formal complaint with the head of the dept

TROOP L HQ - READING
600 Kenhorst Blvd.
Reading, PA 19611-1700


Reading Headquarters: 610-378-4011

Troop L Command Staff
Commanding Officer: Captain Robert L. Bailey
Patrol Section Commander: Lieutenant Raymond W. O’Donnell, Jr.

Noah

[Royinmontco]

I believe in PA 911 calls are exempt from FOIA laws. You may need a subpoena.

Yep. Just looked it up. If the county doesn't want to give it to you, you'll need a judge to order them to do it. Kind of like bodycam footage.

[bogey1]

Wouldn't the local county dispatch or 911 center dispatch LE who have jurisdiction of that area, (i.e., was it PSP who answered the phone and laughed)?

Is it reasonable to expect LE to devote resources "several times" for the same issue? There but for the grace of God go I... although, it seems your friend needs help or advice getting his situation under control, such as adult daycare.

I'm not sure. My moms sister is kina going through the same thing with her husband,. He has oldtimers and parkensons.
The nursing homes wont take him because they dont have enough room, and the hospital is ready to kick him out.
My moms sister is only 96lbs, old, and sick too.
She should start speaking spanish, he'll get fixed up right away.

[DonBiase]

Yep. Just looked it up. If the county doesn't want to give it to you, you'll need a judge to order them to do it. Kind of like bodycam footage.

WELLLL isn't that Convenient!!!

[DonBiase]

I'm not sure. My moms sister is kina going through the same thing with her husband,. He has oldtimers and parkensons.
The nursing homes wont take him because they dont have enough room, and the hospital is ready to kick him out.
My moms sister is only 96lbs, old, and sick too.
She should start speaking spanish, he'll get fixed up right away.

Can't hurt!!!