FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Department is helping out this Christmas season and trying to help prevent potential burglaries. A broadcast was made on Dec. 24 to be on the lookout for an ‘unidentified flying object’ and a male with a ‘white beard and rosy cheeks’ who was last seen landing on top of houses, making entry through chimneys, and rumored to be leaving gifts under the tree.
“We wanted to have a little fun this Christmas season and make sure our public safety personnel knew to be on the lookout for this possible ‘suspect’ that was coming into our area,” says Director Zim Schwartze. “We know many of our first responders have to work during the holidays, so we wanted to put a smile on their faces during their shift."
Schwartze said they contacted NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) through their website www.noradsanta.org to see if there was a coincidence since they were tracking Santa’s whereabouts that evening. “Since NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955, we figured they would know where he was and if he was heading our way to let the kids know it was time to go to bed.”
Please click on the link for the scanner dispatch audio file
Schwartze reminds citizens to contact 9-1-1 when they need police, fire and/or emergency medical ambulance response.
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For more information about 9-1-1, please contact: Director Zim Schwartze at (417) 829-6209 or [email protected].