*555 - Whats the use?

[kall]

Driving to work this morning, I was at a point where you have to stay in the Right hand lane if you want to get on the Northern Motorway, queued up about 8 cars from the red light.

The old guy in front of me cut into the left lane (no indication) and drove forward through the intersection and just pulled back into the Right lane, forcing his way in front of the car in front of me.

I pulled the cellphone out and dialled *555 to report the old cunt.

I waited on hold for about 10 minutes, watching the car veer halfway into the lanes either side of mine, and avoiding getting hit by him.

The phone cut off, so I called back. Another 5 minutes on hold and I arrived at work, so I hung up...very annoyed with the lack of response on this apparently critical service.

Why even bother with it?

[trogg]

It is hopeless.
I dialled it once for a semi minor incident (someone hitch hiking on the motorway) and it connected me through to the 111 centre.

I freaked a little bit when the 111 centre answered as it wasn't life or death urgent but it had the potential to be a problem that a SPARE cop car could prevent.

I wonder if staff have been taken off the *555 lines and transfered to 111 lines because of the recient call centre cock ups?

[kall]

Ironic really that it is 1 year to the day (yesterday?) that a taxi was sent for Irena Asher..

[trogg]

The son of a friend of my mother has just graduated from the Police College and instead of being put on the street was put in the call centre.

Can someone please explain what good it is to have someone answering the phone when there is nobody for them to send out?

[kall]

Apparently the current way of thinking is: 'Have someone there to answer the call. The customer would rather wait 10 seconds then have to wait longer for resolution than wait 3 and a half minutes and get resolution straight away'.

Thats how things are going...at a place I know of. It used to be 'Call in to your helpdesk. Get someone from your helpdesk.' It might have taken a bit of time to get answered sometimes, but you knew it would be someone who knew what you needed.

Now, all staff take all calls. What may have been 5 minutes on hold then resolution has become 25 seconds on hold then someone who says 'I will have somebody call you back.'

[kall]

...

And the callback either comes 5 mins later, 30 mins later or not at all.

[EnglishRose]

This goes on here, mind you I'm talking about phoning the police for people breaking into your house! There is never anyone available! (Yeah right) If you want a police response here, you must remember to tell them that you have actually shot/stabbed/chainsawed the burglar to death to ensure a response! When they arrive and say"Oh, thought you'd killed him/her" just reply, "Oh, thought you said you had no one to available!"

[kall]

I tell you, there's no fucking point calling *555 any more.

From now on, if you see someone driving dangerously on the roads, dial 111.

[Tms]

Also apart from I think *555 was always ported to the Police Comms center (just avoided the Telecom "which service please" section.

and IO think I was charged for *555 once ever since I've just 111'd the calls. (111 is free)

[Weetbix]

If you are looking for satisfaction on a bad driver on the roads and you just want him slapped on the knuckles, the police have a form you can submit to them.
http://www.nzpolice.co.nz/service/road/roadwatch.php

They will send a letter advising the driver he has been reported as doing XYZ.

If they get 3 complaints on the same guy, they send round someone to "have a chat".

I hope that's police talk for, "Boot them in the ass".

[kall]

Many thanks man!

Done!

[justlooking]

I have rung *555, it has always gone to the police section, as someone said above it just goes straight to police.

they answered very quickly and (it was kids walking down the centre of the motorway) and i assume sent someone out to sort the kids out!

My husband has rung before, becuase it was very dark, and someone spare tire had fallen off their car, and was sitting in the middle of the lane, he only just saw it in time and was lucky there was noone in the other lane. I also assume they went and sorted it out.

I think its good for those sort of things. Another time when he rung to report a bad driver he was just sent one of those forms the link above leads you to.

[tazjet]

Off topic perhaps, but 555 was the sacred number of the NSDAP also known as the Nazi party. It was Hitler's party membership number and Bormann's SS membership number.

Always gives me a giggle when Subaru rally cars display 555

[Lina]

Hey Guys
Don't know if you know of this or not, but heard from someone today that if your cellphone can't get service when you are trying to make a 111 call.... dial 112?
Apparently it gets your phone to search each and every network until it makes a connection to 111 for you.

Good to know...

[kall]

Oooh.. I was told that was a secret!

Amusingly, that was what Police Chief Wiggum said when they were all watching a fight or something: "Err no.. this is One, One... Two."

[blthaus]

hands-free phone, right?

HANDS-FREE PHONE, RIGHT?

[kall]

Wrong.

There's no law against using a cellphone in the car in this country.

[justlaw]

sae in uk, just the same

[kall]

Wrong.

There's no law against using a cellphone in the car in this country.

At this point, I feel it's prudent to point out that said Law is about to come into play in NZ.

November 1 - Using cellphone in car without handsfree set (If you have to touch it to answer, it is NOT hands-free) is now illegal.

[robasinz]

Driving to work this morning, I was at a point where you have to stay in the Right hand lane if you want to get on the Northern Motorway, queued up about 8 cars from the red light.

The old guy in front of me cut into the left lane (no indication) and drove forward through the intersection and just pulled back into the Right lane, forcing his way in front of the car in front of me.

I pulled the cellphone out and dialled *555 to report the old cunt.

I waited on hold for about 10 minutes, watching the car veer halfway into the lanes either side of mine, and avoiding getting hit by him.

The phone cut off, so I called back. Another 5 minutes on hold and I arrived at work, so I hung up...very annoyed with the lack of response on this apparently critical service.

Why even bother with it?

Second that post Kall.

Had the same thing happen a couple of years ago, got put on hold for 10mins twice! gave up in the end, loser got away.

Makes you wonder about this service. Piff!