LOCAL NEWS
ACCIDENTAL 911 CALL BY CELL PHONE LEADS TO CRAWFORD SEARCH
By John Axtell
May 6, 2008 - 1:09:13 PM

An accidental 911 call by cell phone to the dispatch center in Chadron triggered a search of homes in Crawford Monday evening...a situation that underscored the close working relationship of law enforcement agencies in Dawes County.

Authorities say dispatchers at the center run by the Chadron Police Department heard gun shots in the background, but got no response from anyone.

Dawes County does not yet have the 911 equipment that identifies the location of calls made by cell phones, and dispatchers believed the call came from the south side of Main Street in Crawford.

That led Crawford Police Chief Greg Taylor to lead officers from his department, the Nebraska State Patrol, and Dawes County Sheriff's office to conduct door-to-door welfare checks in the area.

While that effort was underway, dispatchers and Chadron Police Chief Tim Lordino continued to study the 911 call...finally determining it had come through a cell tower near Wal-Mart in Chadron.

Further investigation showed the 911 had been made inadvertently while individuals were target shooting.

While the owner of the phone has not yet identified, Sheriff Karl Dailey says there's nothing to suggest the call was malicious...and he expects no criminal charges.

Chief Taylor says the Crawford residents who had officers come to their homes understood the situation and were very cooperative, making the process much easier.

Taylor also says it was an unfortunate occurrence and he hated to disturb the community, but would rather err on the side of caution to make sure all residents were safe.

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