Consolidation, Street Names Criticized After Deaths

Similar-sounding street names and the state of Maine’s consolidated 911 system are the focus of debate and criticism from local public safety officials after a delayed response to a murder-suicide in the town of Winslow June 6th. Officials say Sarah Gordon dialed 911 and gave her address as “4 Marie Street” in the southern portion of downtown. She said her husband was threatening her with a gun. However, the calltaker in the central 911 center in Augusta heard the street name pronounced differently—as “Murray Street,” which actually exists about three miles away by road. The calltaker notified the comm center in Waterville, who notified Winslow officers, who arrived at the wrong location about six minutes after the call. Neighbors then dialed 911 to report gunfire at the correct location, and officers arrived on Marie St. about 10 minutes after the original 911 call. They found Gordon dead and her husband on the run. He was later pursued by police, and fatally shot himself. Police chiefs in the state say the state’s consolidated 911 system requires too many transfers and creates the opportunity for mis-communications. Read more about the incident here.