[Updated: March 8, 2:20 p.m.]
KMTV (Cox Channel 5) investigative reporter Joe Jordan was first to reveal Wednesday that Douglas County Emergency Services Director Mark Conrey and his department deliberately tried to keep word of Tuesday's powder scare at the Douglas Courthouse a secret from the press.
In his stories at 5, 6 and 10 p.m., Jordan got Conrey to admit that mistakes were made during the emergency response and investigation, including sending the wrong hazardous material truck to the scene.
KETV (Cox Channel 9) also reported on the story, beginning with its 6 p.m. newscast.
Conrey told both stations that law enforcement took extraordinary measures to keep details of the incident quiet, including the use of cellular telephones, instead of standard two-way radio equipment, to communicate with 911 dispatch. Most emergency radio frequencies can be monitored through the use of scanners by local media outlets and the public.
8 comments:
KETV had this story at either 5 or 6, I can't remember, but it was before the 10.
KMTV first aired the story at 5 p.m. KETV pulled up just minutes before 6 p.m. after seeing it on KMTV's air.
That's ironic since both 3 and 7 were last at the scene. Maybe they were ticked off at the 911 Dispatch Center for not using their radios, so they didn't hear the calls come across the scanner.
It wouldn't be the first time either station has resorted to revenge tactics...
According to the time stamp, KETV.com posted the story at 3:29 PM on Wednesday. Well before it aired in any local newscast.
1:38 PM
Oh huh!!!!!
This is the story KETV.com reported at 3:29pm Wednesday. As you can see, they did not have any information on the foul-up.
OMAHA, Neb. -- Policies and procedures at the Douglas County Courthouse are being reviewed after a suspicious powder was found in a rolled-up 20 bill in the traffic division on Tuesday.
Deputies said the county should know Thursday exactly what that substance was, but in the hours after it was found, part of the courthouse was evacuated and two employees closest to the powder sought medical treatment.
Douglas County deputies, led by Lt. Wayne Hudson, kept courthouse employees and members of the public safe during the scare, and they heard a lot of "atta-boys" on Wednesday.
"They did exactly what they were supposed to do -- take care of the folks that were involved in it," said Clerk of the District Court John Friend.
Hudson said his staff and other investigators won't rest on their laurels.
"We have been training in what to do during situations like this," Hudson said. "We're going to be sitting down sometime this week with a representative of each agency and go over plans and procedures, and if there are changes to be made, we will."
The courthouse business returned to normal on Wednesday. The administrator of the criminal and traffic division, who were in the eye of the storm, said all of her employees returned to work on Wednesday, including the two who came into contact with the powder.
"Very routine -- no one is talking about it all that much anymore," said Friend.
Omaha Fire Department investigators said the Nebraska Medical Center is testing the powder, but that the sample is very small. The laboratory expected to report Thursday what the powder was.
Those who had traffic court dates scheduled Tuesday afternoon can call the court administrator at 402-444-5387 to reschedule.
Joe Jordan is one of the rare examples of good journalists left in this town.
This is the story as I see it time stamped 3:29 PM Mar. 7 updated 9:20 AM Mar. 8 it is not clear if this is what was posted on Mar. 7 or if this was the update. If they completely changed the story and called it an update to make it seem like they broke the story then that is unethical.
911 Director: Mistakes Made In Courthouse Response
Confusion, Delays, Secrecy Delayed Response To Powder Scare
POSTED: 3:29 pm CST March 7, 2007
UPDATED: 9:20 am CST March 8, 2007
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OMAHA, Neb. -- Douglas County's 911 Director will review the initial emergency response made after a suspicious powder was found in a rolled-up $20 bill in the Hall of Justice on Tuesday
Mark Conrey told KETV NewsWatch 7 "mistakes were made" that resulted in a delay of more than 30 minutes before an Omaha Fire Department hazardous materials team was sent to the courthouse.
Conrey said the 911 operator dispatched only an ambulance after the first call for help was made. It took a follow-up call from the Hall of Justice for 911 to realize the hazardous materials crew had not been sent. The second call was transfered to the 911 center, then there was some confusion because only one of the county's two hazardous materials units had the proper equipment to test the suspicious powder on site.
Douglas County sheriff's personnel evacuated the second floor of the Hall of Justice and isolated those who had come in contact with the substance.
The powder was later determined not to be a hazard.
Conrey said 911 finally dispatched the hazardous materials team by phone, rather than by radio, to reduce the chances of the public and media learning about the situation. The 911 director said since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the county tries to keep situations like Tuesday's quiet until investigators can determine the nature of the threat. Conrey said that otherwise, emergency crews and 911 are "bombarded" with phone calls from the public, jeopardizing the emergency response.
Investigators expect to identify the powder on Thursday. There is still no word on whether the powder was intended to be a prank or some sort of threat.
Employees at the Hall of Justice praised Douglas County Sheriff's Office personnel, led by Lt. Wayne Hudson, for how Tuesday's incident was handled.
"We have been training in what to do during situations like this," Hudson said. "We're going to be sitting down sometime this week with a representative of each agency and go over plans and procedures, and if there are changes to be made, we will."
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