Suit Alleges that Black Dispatchers Told They 'Speak Ghetto'

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Three minority women who worked at a western Pennsylvania 911 center have filed lawsuits, with one of them saying black dispatchers were made to take calls from inner city residents because they knew how to "speak ghetto."

Two of the Allegheny County dispatchers are black and one is Hispanic. They say they were subjected to ethnic slurs.

Ruby Helvy, who is black, says her bosses targeted her for discipline while letting other employees slide. Kelli Rodriguez, a Hispanic woman, says she was subjected to harassment. Dapree Thompson, who is also black, says she was forced to work overtime while others got to go home.

A county spokeswoman did not immediately respond to the lawsuits, which were filed late Wednesday. The county's solicitor is also declining comment.

(Story by: Joe Mandak, The Associated Press)