Douglas County 911 Center

[OmahaFan]

I’m hearing there’s quite the controversy with the new 911 Director. Anyone have the low down?

[nebport5]

From KETV...

City of Omaha officials say they will ask FBI, US Attorney for assistance after controversial 911 hire

[HskrFanMike]

This is awfully soap-opera-ish.

https://omaha.com/news/local/government ... a491f.html

Omaha city officials say they are “re-evaluating” an agreement with Douglas County to provide 911 services over hiring concerns after Greg Gonzalez was named deputy 911 director earlier this year.

...and here's where the city's issue appears to be...

Gonzalez is married to Kathy Belcastro-Gonzalez, who sued the city and Omaha Police Department Chief Todd Schmaderer on claims that she was passed up for a promotion out of retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint. In 2022, a federal jury agreed and awarded her $700,000 in lost wages and benefits and another $285,000 in attorney and witness fees.

Kuhse said representatives with the Police and Fire Departments and the Mayor’s Office will not attend 911 Users Group meetings if Gonzalez is in attendance, adding that the city plans to “re-evaluate” its agreement with the county and explore other options for 911 services when the agreement expires in December.

Kuhse and Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson, who also wrote letters to Bloomingdale about concerns over the hiring process, said their issues are with “process, not personality.” Hanson defeated Gonzalez in a contentious election for sheriff two years ago.

And from the KETV article:

The joint statement also said it's inappropriate for the city to talk publicly about its concerns over Gonzalez, but points to the public corruption investigation in the city of Omaha, which led to federal indictments. That included Gonzalez's brother, Richie.

On one hand, the city is trying to link Greg Gonzalez to his brother. (But if they anything more, the city will get sued yet again.) I presume all of this was investigated by FBI previously. On the other hand, the city lost a discrimination case to Gonzalez's wife, and this could all just be vindictive behavior by city officials and the guy Gonzalez lost an election to.

And this statement just sounds more like it's just sour grapes.

In a letter Kuhse sent to Bloomingdale on March 20, Kuhse said the city will no longer send representatives to 911 Users Group meetings at which Gonzalez is present “until the situation is settled.” The city entities will only attend the meetings if informed 24 hours in advance that Gonzalez will not be present, and Kuhse wrote “it is possible that aforementioned City representatives will leave” if Gonzalez shows up at the meeting.

[GenX]

When did a spouse suing the city become a disqualifying factor? There’s a word for that… discrimination.

[Coyote]

Court rules Douglas County can not be sued for 911 response delay



LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Friday sovereign immunity protects Douglas County from damage related to a delayed 911 response to 2016 shooting and hostage situation in Northwest Omaha. Kenneth Clark shot and killed John and Jason Edwards as they helped their sister Julie move out of Clark's home. Clark then held Edwards hostage for four hours before releasing her and taking his own life. After the shootings, John Edwards called 911 to say he had been shot at the home of his sister's ex-boyfriend, Ken Clark. But Edwards was unable to provide 911 with the address. It took first responders 46 minutes to arrive at the home.

[NEDodger]

When did a spouse suing the city become a disqualifying factor? There’s a word for that… discrimination.

When said husband may have been involved with the PACE embezzlement.

[2Adam29]

When did a spouse suing the city become a disqualifying factor? There’s a word for that… discrimination.

When said husband may have been involved with the PACE embezzlement.

If they've got any evidence of his involvement I'd wonder why they let him leave the department "in good standing" unless they assumed he'd just go be someone else's problem. Either the city didn't do their due diligence initially, or they're just being petty now. Hopefully it all gets sorted without destroying 911 in the process.