A caller asked if she should dial something other than 911 to reach police.

Victim: "They have 'em at bingos and everything. Why aren't the here?"

By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — When the city council president asked a police dispatcher if cops were responding to a robbery that involved a gun, the dispatcher said there was "no mention of a gun" for the call from East Philadelphia Avenue.

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However, an audiotape of 911 calls and police radio traffic obtained by The Vindicator shows the robbery victim, Susan Boyd, sounded terrified and was very clear at 9:36 p.m. Friday when she told the 911 call-taker that a "big silver gun" had been put to her face.

The 34-year-old mother of five also gave a fairly detailed description of the white-capped assailant and which way he ran — out her driveway toward Indianola Avenue, down Shady Run Road.

After a 911 call-taker receives pertinent information, it is passed on via computer to a police dispatcher, who assigns calls based on priority.

Police didn't arrive at Boyd's house until 46 minutes after she called for help. During that time, many of Boyd's neighbors also called about the robbery.

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Pfeifer wins GOP nod - and nays

By John McCarthy
The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Once again, the Ohio Republican Party has endorsed GOP Justice Paul Pfeifer of the Ohio Supreme Court. Once again, the vote was less than unanimous.

The party's State, Central and Executive Committee on Friday breezed through endorsements for Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, Justice Terrence O'Donnell and Toledo appeals Judge Judy Lanzinger for a seat that will be left open by Justice Francis Sweeney, a Democrat who is retiring.

But when the vote for Pfeifer was called, several committee members loudly said "no." Ohio party Chairman Robert Bennett then asked for a show of hands and the vote was 34-11, he said. The votes were preceded by a 45-minute closed-door discussion.

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