Better pay that Cell Phone Bill!

[SilverBack]

Williams said he attempted to use the man’s cell phone signal to locate him, but the man was behind on his phone bill and the Verizon operator refused to connect the signal unless the sheriff’s department agreed to pay the overdue bill.

Isn't that technically an interference with an emergency? It'd be like traffic not pulling over for the ambulance in the rear-view mirror

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by k r a y z e e . j o j o

Isn't that technically an interference with an emergency? It'd be like traffic not pulling over for the ambulance in the rear-view mirror

In way, except that Verizon wasn't "interfering" as much as refusing to cooperate. It's more like a Tow Truck refusing to come to an accident because they won't get paid to remove the car - except of course that they can get a Mechanic's Lien against the wreckage.

As a heavy duty Capitalist I can't complain about Verizon's response. It's their time and money. "Compassion" can and is abused by scumbags who want free rides, which is why the Operator was told by her or his supervisor to say "No" to ANYONE who called. "NO EXCEPTIONS" is just that, no exceptions. That was probably their "policy", and people who don't enforce Policy get fired.

I'm not annoyed at the Operator but at Verizon Management, which didn't have a policy in place to deal with such a contingency. This can't be the first time that a Sheriff, LEO or someone else asked them for such a hook up. Such an attitude shows a lack of flexibility and brains, something Capitalists need today to fend in a tough market. Being fixated on rigid systems is rigor mortis. A good system must push decision making down and infuse a sense of mission into every player, from the CEO to the people on the line and even the custodial services. Most of all with people who deal with the public. That Operator should have had the latitude to help that Sheriff and then settle the accounts later on.

A good capitalist tries to please the customer. This "No ticket, no laundry" attitude is going to harden a lot of hearts out there against Verizon. Customers of Verizon (such as myself AND my employer) will wonder why we're paying all these kinky fees and surcharges for "emergency" but then hear that Operators are letting people die in the wilderness because they were late on their bills. Everyone is late on their bills from time to time, is that cause to let them die? To me a late bill is proof that someone is a customer, so take care of the emergency now and settle it later. Put that in a policy so that middle management and operators can obey it. Better still, let them make the call on the spot so that they can help customers.

Gene

[frownonfun]

Originally Posted by GeneW

A good system must push decision making down and infuse a sense of mission into every player, from the CEO to the people on the line and even the custodial services. Most of all with people who deal with the public. That Operator should have had the latitude to help that Sheriff and then settle the accounts later on.Gene

never gonna happen. sorry that i don't have more to add to this thread but i just didn't want anyone thinking that this was an actual possibility.