Botched Burglar Alarm Call Prompts Changes At Denver 911

Lisa Sommmers never expected a burglar alarm at her shoe store would expose problems with Denver 911.

But 7NEWS has obtained a recording of the alarm call, showing the dispatcher getting the permit number wrong.

Alarm Company: "Yeah, it's B 332901" Denver 911: "(Garbled) 901." Alarm Company: "Yeah" Denver 911: "Confirm B322901. Correct?" Alarm Company: "Yeah."

Sommers' security company missed the transposed numbers read back to them and as a result, the call wasn't answered.

Denver 911: "OK, I'm just advising you that your permit is invalid and we will not be dispatching." Security: "Fine by me."

So even though Sommers does have a valid alarm permit, she had to check out the break-in herself. She thinks the thieves may have been hiding inside while she looked around, because the next morning, the place was ransacked.

"I just feel like I was powerless," she told 7NEWS.

After 7NEWS started asking questions, Denver 911 reviewed the call.

Executive director Carl Simpson said the mistake never should have happened and the number should have been verified.

"I do know that we let her down, and for that, I'm very sorry," Simpson said. "We view this as an opportunity to improve our operations, our customer service and our training."

Sommers said she is happy now.

"It makes me feel really good," she said. "I'm glad you guys took this on and communicated with 911 and police about it."

Denver 911 officials told 7NEWS it is too early in the review to say if the dispatcher will be disciplined.