Police investigating after dispatcher allegedly said police were too busy

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating why officers were not dispatched to a burglary in progress at a Stone Mountain daycare center.

As we first told you on Channel 2 Action News Monday, the owner claims the 911 dispatcher said police were too busy.

"When she saw some movement she started beating on the door and was trying to tell him, 'I see you. Go away,'" said daycare owner Latorsha Morgan. "He kept trying to tell us to open the door, open the door. He even had his hand on the door trying to open the door."

Surveillance video shows a burglar trying to get back into Morgan's Stone Mountain daycare center on Redan Road while her family called 911.

Morgan said Friday night her husband and cousin told the DeKalb County 911 operator the man who just broke into the business was still there.

But Morgan claims the dispatcher said police officers could not respond because they were tied up with other crime in the area.

"It was conveyed that he was leaving the location," said Marshall Mooneyham, director of DeKalb County 911.

Mooneyham says they are reviewing the 911 calls, but says the dispatcher was led to believe the suspect was gone.

Mooneyham told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh that's why the dispatcher placed the call at a lower priority instead of dispatching an officer.

"Sometimes it's hard for people to understand that we have to keep asking questions, we have to get all the pertinent information to be able to help you," Mooneyham said.

The DeKalb County Police Department would not release the recordings of the three 911 calls placed Friday night, saying they were still under review.

Morgan insisted her husband clearly stated they were face-to-face with the burglar.

"I don't feel I was protected or served Friday night," she said.

Police are still reviewing the 911 calls. They said if there is a need to retrain this dispatcher, it will happen.

Channel 2 Action News has requested copies of the 911 calls placed that night.

WSBTV