CBS2 Exclusive: Mechanic Claims Police Never Responded To 911 Calls
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- What if you called 911 and help never came?
A Queens mechanic claims police never showed up despite numerous calls to 911 after he was assaulted.
David Zwang told CBS2's Valerie Castro that Monday was a typical day at the Sunoco gas station and garage where he works in Forest Hills, Queens until an unpleasant customer came in, upset that a part needed for his car wasn't in stock.
"He gets out of the car and starts screaming at me, 'I'm going to kill you' and the whole deal," Zwang said. "He goes into the office."
Zwang followed him into the office, where things turned violent.
"Smashes me in the face," Zwang said. "I'm holding my eye. I mean, I'm a big guy. I can take a punch. OK? And I didn't touch him."
That's when Zwang claims his manager called 911 from the office phone around 4:45 p.m.
When police didn't show, Zwang and other employees called with their cellphones. He showed CBS2 the log on his phone with calls to 911 at 5:16 and again at 5:50.
"Just no response," the mechanic said. "Called four or five times. ... I get a call at 6:18 on my cellphone from the precinct, and they're apologizing that they didn't send anybody."
Despite the apology, by the end of the day, police from the 112th Precinct never came, Zwang said. At that point, he just wanted to file a police report.
"Did I go to the hospital? No. Again, my bottom line is I was more concerned about the guy driving by and shooting me," Zwang said. "Could it happen? Yes."
Zwang said by Tuesday morning he had lost patience with 911 and decided to call the precinct station house directly.
"They were here in 20 minutes," the mechanic said. "The police officer said it doesn't sound right; that's a priority call."
Zwang said he isn't sure where the lapse happened when he called 911 or why no one ever responded.
The lesson he said he learned from the incident: "If it's a real emergency, call the Fire Department."
Police in response told CBS2 the first 911 call may have been treated as a past case rather than one in progress.
They said when officers arrived an hour later, Zwang was gone.
In response to the incident, the NYPD released the following statement: "A formal complaint was filed and is open to the detective squad. The commanding officer is aware of the allegation and is looking into the matter."
