Los Angeles: Today’s press statement issued by the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), "911 Response Times Increase as Call Load Decreases . . ." is but another example of the League arriving at broad, irresponsible conclusions based on their inaccurate analysis of unrelated data.

The first assessment by the League that 9-1-1 response times has increased, while the overall call load has decreased is grossly misleading. The Department tracks response times for "priority calls". Priority calls are those calls classified as Code 2 and above. Priority calls include 9-1-1 calls, but are not limited to 9-1-1 calls. While talking about response times to 9-1-1 calls, the league, in their press release, provided the response time for ALL priority calls, an apparent attempt to convince the public that these are the response times for just 9-1-1 calls. It is important to note that not all calls made on the 9-1-1 emergency system constitute an emergency. In fact, many calls made on the 9-1-1 emergency system are not emergency calls, as the LAPPL would have the public believe.

The League, in their second assessment that the call load has decreased, is being disingenuous in that they have failed to provide the public with all the facts, even though they are in possession of the information. The facts are that since a high of 5,412,388 total calls for service in the year 1992, the call load has steadily dropped to 2,949,207 total calls for service in the year 1999. However, since 1999, total calls for service have been on the rise. In the year 2000, total calls for service were 3,291,057. In the year 2001, total calls for service were 3,306,494. This rising trend, in calls for service, is continuing in 2002.

It is interesting that the League, though acknowledging that, between the years 1997 to 2001, 9-1-1 calls have decreased, cannot give the Department due credit for its role in reducing the number of non-emergency calls placed through the 9-1-1 system. The Department, in June 1999, began an aggressive campaign to educate the public on 9-1-1 misuse. It was then that the Department introduced, and began publicizing, the 1-877-ASK-LAPD number to the public in an effort to reduce the misuse of the 9-1-1 system. The Department is very appreciative to the community for their cooperation on this issue.

It is ironic that the League is attempting to make an issue of public safety, considering that in the past, League directors have admonished officers that they are foolish for doing aggressive police work.

This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace Frank, Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.