St. Petersburg
Dispatchers are voices of calm, help to many
Dispatchers and 911 emergency call-takers are unsung heroes who don't see the action, but hear it and feel it.
Dispatcher Cindy Lee McCants cared about the safety of "her" officers during the '70s and '80s. If we spent too much time on a traffic stop, she would call to make sure we were all right. If we didn't answer right away, she sent another officer.
On the midnight shift, she always broke up the long night by slipping into an earthy Southern-speak for a time check, saying, "4:44 ya'll."
Aneal Seepersad was an emergency call-taker the night a man walked into a Radio Shack and began shooting. Aneal spoke calmly to a woman who had called 911 on her cell phone as she hid a few feet from the shooter. Aneal calmed her and kept her on the phone until officers arrived.
Dispatcher Sandy "Spigot" Swartz recently retired. Sometimes, especially on holidays, she brought enough food to work to feed everyone. Like Cindy, she cared deeply for the safety of her officers. She would tear-up when officers handled a dangerous call; hence her enduring nickname.
This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which honors those who work in public safety communications.
William Proffitt, St. Petersburg police spokesman
Abuse Policy
Loading...