Posted by smithjc on February 18, 2008 at 1:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

good thing they don't charge 50 bucks to call 911 in santa paula. if he came to my house he'd be s.o.l.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on February 18, 2008 at 5:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a bit confused about the whole 911 thing. It read for personnal calls. So if you were calling for someone else would that apply? They really need to clarify all of this.......

Posted by lrgvanman on February 18, 2008 at 5:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Too bad for the Santa Paula victim...hope all goes better...911 thing confuses me too..double taxation and the sort always confuses me.

Posted by Lost on February 18, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The 911 dilemma... As I understand it the city council will vote on February 25th on whether to institute a $1.50 or so monthly fee on every phone line to include cell phones in Ventura. If you as a resident do not want to be charged this "Fee", then you need to contact the city to opt out of that for that particular phone line. If you decide to opt out of the fee on those particular phone lines and you need to call 911, then as long as it's a true emergency (House on fire, etc), you will not be billed the $50.00 dollars. If it is not deemed a true emergency (Non-injury accident, etc) then you will be billed the $50 bucks.

Basically most people only have one phone line, and most people will end up paying the buck and a half a month because it's cheaper than trying to decipher what constitutes a real emergency. I know I wouldn't want to see someone get hurt because I didn't want to pay $50 bucks. But I can see people opting out out of the fee based on principle. Most people who opt out will be opting out on fax machine lines, additional business lines and that sort of thing, but allowing the fee on home lines and cell phone lines where they normally would call 911 if they see an emergency.

It's sad that the majority of the city council feels that a fee is the only solution to their financial problems. 911 in my opinion is one of the only basic services the city should offer as a freebie for living in this community. What happens when you pay a fee to a business to deliver a service, and they screw it up. You still pay because that's the contract you have, but you also have the right to take them to small claims court or to sue them for services not provided. I guess another problem with this whole fee thing is.... who is going to run it, and how much is it going to cost especially when someone opts out and then disputes the fee $50 bucks when they call for something that's not deemed an emergency.

I don't think this fee thing is the greatest of ideas, but apparently the city cannot manage their funds. It's not about paying for 911, it's about getting more police and firefighters hired for a quicker response time. They want to make us believe that if they hired 6 more police and three more firefighters, that it would prevent someone from being hurt in an emergency because they will get there faster. Sorry, but I don't buy into this.

Let's manage city funds better first, and let's call this "Fee" what it really is, and that's a tax. I have no problem paying it, but not when it's presented in the way it has been, and then shoved down our throats with no say.

Posted by Nosmo_King on February 18, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In Santa Paula, I don't call 911 I use the direct number for the Police (525-4474) and leave a message. The response time is about the same.

Posted by RelaxPeople on February 18, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

what's the phone number for the general police line in ventura, i'll program that into my phone and name the contact "911". that way itll feel like im calling 911 but at a cheaper cost. :) by the way, this 911 fee stuff is a bunch of BS!!!!!

Posted by latina79 on February 18, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vcr-why would it make a difference about ethnicity? Hispanic, black, white, etc. can all pick up a gun and shoot. Is it going to make a difference to anyone? Would it change anything?

Posted by B8R_N4MD on February 18, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As for the 911 fee, I would definetely opt out, especially for a cell phone. If its not a true emergency, then you shouldnt be dialing 911. Use the direct number. Until newer technology comes into play, cell phones are first routed to the CHP, not Ventura PD, then the CHP forwards the call accordingly. I highly doubt the CHP is going to forward information on every 911 call they receive to the City. Plus if its a true emergency, you wont be charged.

Posted by ca4ever on February 18, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI - He was white

Posted by ca4ever on February 18, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know because I know the family. I grew up with him. He is ok and at home. He was a white male

Posted by melneejane on February 18, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FIVE_O..the correct number for VCSO Non Emergency line is 654-9511 the number changed a few years ago due to low volume on the 2311 line.

Posted by justmeinsp on February 20, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm upset on a number of issues on this: first, it's near my home; 2nd, it's also near my place of employment at the doctor offices on March St.; 3rd, there a lots of little kids in the apts/condos in this area; and 4th he gets shot, asks for someone to call 911 and then refuses to give the PD any info about who did it??!! I'd let him bleed in the street -- if you don't give info, chances are very likely you're part of the problem and that's why they tried to pop him!! AND this is in the same area that dear ole Cabrillo Development wants to build their "model project" that would include low and extra low income people. there's already low, extra low and ultra low housing here, so hooey to CD!! While a lot of low and extra low income people are decent and hard working for what they have, their neighborhoods tend to attract a scummier element that don't give s#*t about anything or anyone... and to NOT give PD info just fries me!!

Posted by AnnaWhaat on February 22, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lost ,Thanks for the comment.Although it sill confuses me. SO if someone sees a wreck on the freeway and it doesn't appear that neither vehicle is too badly damaged most wouldn't call. Even though some of the most tragic accidents causing,a neck injury etc can not be detected by the damage on the car. It could look minor and may not be.

Posted by shaver_one on February 23, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Re 911 $$: If you call for someone else, the so-called 'good samaritan' clause, you will NOT be charged.
VPD General Number = 650-8010.
Shot in the back, and he ran to a house for assistance...must have been a .22, .25 or .32 calibre. Anything larger, and you wouldn't be able to 'run'. Hope he's OK.