Updated: WI State Journal Edit (May 2, 2008), No apology? You better find one. WI State Journal (p.1) (May 4, 2008) 2004 report warned of 911 Center problems; Co officials warned to increase staffing, change procedures

The first rule in crisis management for public servants is not Save your ass.

It's serve the public.

So when the public clamors for answers about why a 21-year-old UW-Madison student was murdered in early April, and asks what could have been done to prevent her death, the response ought to be openness, transparency and honesty.

Unfortunately, the Dane County 911 Center doesn't see it that way, and the stonewalling has begun.

Jason Shepard writing for the Madison weekly, Isthmus, has run into a brickwall in his reporting on the death of Brittany Zimmermann.

Shepard broke a story today that Zimmermann "called 911 before she was stabbed and beaten to death inside her Doty Street apartment, but the 911 Center failed to send help after erroneously concluding the call was a mistake."

Now, as the media and an appalled public look for answers, Shepard and Isthmus, are being shut out by the Dane County 911 Center.

Writes Shepard:

Over the past two and a half weeks, the 911 Center has refused requests for basic information about the calls. This week, Joe Norwick, director of the Dane County 911 Center since July, declined further opportunities to comment after being provided with a written summary of parts of this story.

In an email, Norwick said he was basing his refusal on a request from the Madison Police Department to withhold all information 'pertaining to this matter' because release would 'seriously impair' the murder investigation.

Bullshit.

Reports Bill Lueders in Isthmus:

At a press conference this afternoon, Madison Police Chief Noble Wray responded to the growing media feeding frenzy over the Brittany Zimmermann case by tossing a body to the assembled hungry reporters. His name was Joe Norwick. ... Wray released a statement saying 'there is evidence in the call, which should have resulted in a Madison police officer being dispatched.' He provided a copy of the MPD’s policy, which says officers should be dispatched to cell phone calls if the dispatcher 'has reason to believe that police services are needed.' Wray also confirmed that 'technology exists where we can get either very close to, or the exact location' of, a cell-phone call.

So, is Chief Wray seriously impairing the murder investigation in being open about what happened in the 911 call?

No, he's leveling with the public that he has sworn to protect and serve.

Norwick should step up, now, and release the tape.