What determines how fast the LAPD respond to calls? (London: apartment, movies)

[irvine_girl]

One night, I was working alone in a residence in the westside, one of those little rich towns that are actually part of L.A. but have their own names. I sat in front of window and worked my ass off. In the entire first two hour, I could hear quite clearly what the neighbors living across the alley were fighting about. It a man and a woman, who should be a couple, doing a Jerry Springer show in their apartment. After two hours, finally someone banged a door really really hard. The sound of glasses broken also came out. Then there's silence. I was getting afraid because they might have hurt one another. I called 911, and two hours later, the police came.

Two hours?! Two hours is enough to bury somebody! I have lived in other non-American cities where the police will normally shows up in 10 minutes for pretty much any eligible reported incidence. I volunteered in a women's center where some of the ladies were battered at home. This makes me feel the women subject to domestic violence in L.A. are in really bad position. Makes me quite angry after this first-hand experience with the LAPD.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by irvine_girl

One night, I was working alone in a residence in the westside, one of those little rich towns that are actually part of L.A. but have their own names. I sat in front of window and worked my ass off. In the entire first two hour, I could hear quite clearly what the neighbors living across the alley were fighting about. It a man and a woman, who should be a couple, doing a Jerry Springer show in their apartment. After two hours, finally someone banged a door really really hard. The sound of glasses broken also came out. Then there's silence. I was getting afraid because they might have hurt one another. I called 911, and two hours later, the police came.

Two hours?! Two hours is enough to bury somebody! I have lived in other non-American cities where the police will normally shows up in 10 minutes for pretty much any eligible reported incidence. I volunteered in a women's center where some of the ladies were battered at home. This makes me feel the women subject to domestic violence in L.A. are in really bad position. Makes me quite angry after this first-hand experience with the LAPD.

It depends how close you are to a donut shop .

[smokingGun]

LAPD has set protocols prioritizing calls. If you had said you heard gunshots or saw someone in imminent danger they would've come immediately. But unless you saw someone brandishing a weapon it's more like a private altercation. Policemen aren't family counselors or mediators, nor should we expect them to be.

[Elle Oh Elle]

Originally Posted by smokingGun

LAPD has set protocols prioritizing calls. If you had said you heard gunshots or saw someone in imminent danger they would've come immediately. But unless you saw someone brandishing a weapon it's more like a private altercation. Policemen aren't family counselors or mediators, nor should we expect them to be.

Yeah, one time my mom lost control and did the same. They didn't come for nearly 45 minutes, and I thought that was bad! I expected them to have given up, but the cop said they had to "drive back and forth from downtown".

[Fontucky]

Look at the bright side OP: you didn't get music on hold when you called.

[irvine_girl]

We are paying so much in taxes and we get this quality of a troop? Is it the same in other cosmopolitan cities like London, Paris, Tokyo or Hong Kong? Don’t think so. It wasn’t like I got rear-ended but with my manicure perfectly untouched just waiting outside for the highway patrol outside of a 7-11. That kind of waiting, I can understand. But I heard a loud sound of glasses broken, then silence! Somebody could have killed the entire family and himself in two hours! As a matter of fact, at least in Hong Kong, which is what I'm familiar with, police negligence in domestic violence cases will certainly appear in all major presses as well as somebody’s being penalized, suspended and charged. I am quite disheartened by the LAPD here.

[ccm123]

They prioritize based on perceived urgency. I believe "officer down" calls will get an immediate response from all of the units in the city. Other calls, naturally, are of lower priority.

LAPD response times have always known to be long (averaging several minutes) even in high priority situations. The heavy traffic and spread out city geography doesn't help either.

[Totallycool]

Honestly there is a reason why the police in Hollywood movies always show up AFTER the main character saves him/herself. It's because it's true! You cannot rely on anyone to get you out of a bad situation but yourself. I was in a wreck and LUCKILY everyone was around 1.paramedics 2. police. They got me out within seconds! I was lucky. Most people wait and wait. It's even worste if you live in a bad neighboorhood. Sometimes they don't show up at all! Budget cuts...