Houston 911 operator hung up on 'thousands' of calls, including report of robbery

A 911 operator in Houston has been charged with two counts of interference with an emergency telephone call after hanging up on "thousands" of calls, The Associated Press reported.
Crenshanda Williams' supervisors first started to suspect something was awry when they noticed an unusually high number of Williams' calls lasted 20 seconds or less. A further investigation of the call log uncovered that Williams had disconnected thousands of calls between October 2015 and March 2016, Tribune Media Wire reported.
In one instance, a recording captured Williams telling a caller, "Ain't nobody got time for this. For real." Another time, a person was fatally shot after Williams hung up on a caller reporting a robbery:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
... [A]n operator — identified as Williams — is heard answering "Houston 911, do you need medical, police or fire?"When the male caller responded, "This is a robbery," Williams is heard sighing before hanging up, according to court documents.Investigators tracked down the robbery/shooting caller, who confirmed someone hung up the phone the first time he called in, frustrating him, and he had to call back a second time. By the time police arrived, a person was dead. [Tribune Media Wire]
The Houston Emergency Center fired Williams in August. She was charged Oct. 5, and later released on bond. If convicted, Williams could face up to two years in jail and an $8,000 fine.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Alterations: 'riveting' 1970s tailoring comedy is a lot of fun
The Week Recommends 'Retro gem' from the National Theatre's Black Plays Archive 'springs into life' from the start
By The Week UK Published
-
Has World Book Day become a 'horror show'?
Talking Point Annual event to encourage children to read for pleasure is sore spot for parents under 'growing pressure' to create character costumes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Festival of Sport announces exciting media partnership with The Week Junior
Festival of Sport, the UK’s premier family-friendly sports festival, has officially teamed up with The Week Junior as its exclusive media partner.
By The Week Junior Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published