Police say 911 calls are prioritized based on severity of report, resident upset over lax response

Steven Cottingham says he called 911 four times recently to report an assault in progress, but says police officers never showed up.

“It baffles my mind that while this man was punching this woman and kid no one showed up and no one showed up when I called the second time,” Cottingham told ABC-7.

According the El Paso Police Department, 911 calls are prioritized. If someone is in immediate danger, whether it’s a burglary or assault, it’s deemed a high-priority call.

If the call is “high priority,” it is immediately assigned and the officer closest to the scene will be dispatched.

If someone is calling 911 to give information or to report a crime that is no longer in progress it is not a high priority.

Tune in to ABC-7 at 6 and 10 for Evan Folan’s story on 911 priority calls.