Store Employees Complain About Police Response
City Policy Intended To Reduce False Alarm Costs
Posted: 7:23 pm CDT August 15, 2007
MADISON, Wis. -- Employees of The MacShop said police response to alarms has created an unsafe situation.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe criticism comes a day after a burglar threw a rock through the glass front door of the business and swiped a laptop and several iPods.A city ordinance effective Jan. 1 said that police will only respond once the alarm has been verified in person. The change was put in place to cut down on time wasted by officers responding to false alarms.Police estimated that the amount of time used responding to these calls was the equivalent of two full-time positions.On early Tuesday morning, Patrick Gavinski, The MacShop store manager, received a call from his alarm company saying there was an alarm at the Odana Road store."I immediately get in my car, drive over (to the store), assuming that the police would be on site, and I come to find out that I'm the only one there," Gavinski said.Gavinski then told police that someone had broken in and stolen $10,000 worth of merchandise. Police arrived a few minutes later, WISC-TV reported."My life could potentially be at stake or anyone else who arrived, and I don't think that's a very safe situation," Gavinski said.Madison Alderman Paul Skidmore defended the city policy saying the vast number of calls are false alarms.When he and others crafted the ordinance, he said it was clear they "didn't want civilians going in" to a crime scene. Skidmore said people should verify the break-in and call police.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe criticism comes a day after a burglar threw a rock through the glass front door of the business and swiped a laptop and several iPods.A city ordinance effective Jan. 1 said that police will only respond once the alarm has been verified in person. The change was put in place to cut down on time wasted by officers responding to false alarms.Police estimated that the amount of time used responding to these calls was the equivalent of two full-time positions.On early Tuesday morning, Patrick Gavinski, The MacShop store manager, received a call from his alarm company saying there was an alarm at the Odana Road store."I immediately get in my car, drive over (to the store), assuming that the police would be on site, and I come to find out that I'm the only one there," Gavinski said.Gavinski then told police that someone had broken in and stolen $10,000 worth of merchandise. Police arrived a few minutes later, WISC-TV reported."My life could potentially be at stake or anyone else who arrived, and I don't think that's a very safe situation," Gavinski said.Madison Alderman Paul Skidmore defended the city policy saying the vast number of calls are false alarms.When he and others crafted the ordinance, he said it was clear they "didn't want civilians going in" to a crime scene. Skidmore said people should verify the break-in and call police. Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
