HOUSTON -- Note: The following story is a verbatim transcript of an Investigators story that aired on Monday, Nov. 4, 2007, on KPRC Local 2 at 6 a.m.

Last night, Local 2 Investigates showed you how a manpower shortage is leaving Houston police officers struggling to answer life-threatening calls quickly.

New this morning, you'll hear from one woman who says her calls for help were never answered. Here's Local 2 investigative reporter Robert Arnold.

One o'clock on a balmy July morning Sylvia Simms played solitaire on her computer.

"I heard some noise, movement outside of the window right next to me," Simms said.

The noise was in this narrow stretch of Simms' back yard.

"I tried to get away from the window when I heard it," said Simms.

Simms dialed 911.

Here's a recording of that call. While Simms was on the phone, she heard a police helicopter flying overhead.

"Houston 911. Do you need police, fire or ambulance?”

"I heard something on the side of my house. I live alone," Simms is heard telling the operator. "There's a search helicopter flying," Simms said

"Ok, and you heard something on the side of your house, correct?" the operator asked.

"Uh, huh," Simms replied.

"OK. A unit will be dispatched to your location," the operator told Simms.

"Did anyone knock on your door?" Arnold asked.

"No sir," answered Simms.

"Did the helicopter ever shine a searchlight in your back yard?" Arnold asked.

"No sir," answered Simms.

"Did you ever hear back from HPD?" Arnold asked.

"Not to this day," Simms replied.

No officer ever showed. Fortunately, whoever or whatever was outside Simms' window went away.

"The next morning then I got angry when I realized that I matter so little that I could call 911 and they would not send somebody out," Simms said.

Simms just hopes HPD can overcome its manpower issue so more calls likes hers don't fall through the cracks.