I want to clarify a point. When I suggest this is the first call that I know of where GZ was in his car, I am referring to the specific calls quoting his actions being different (the ones where he didn't get the license plate and the other where he mentioned not wanting to confront the individual). He could have been in his car when reporting garage doors open or kids playing in the street, but I don't think those calls have any relevance to this discussion.
AFAIK Zimmerman could have been in a vehicle for most of the earlier calls. Generally neither the audio recordings of the calls, nor the Event Reports, give much or any indication of the caller's location.
If it was the first time he was in a vehicle, so what? What significance does Zimmerman being or not being in vehicle have?
I didn't realize an explanation was necessary. A car would offer a sense of security, protection from a confrontation and the ability to flee quickly if necessary. Walking up to a suspect would be considerably more risky.
I don't agree that the tense makes a substantive difference. That's being over-literal. If Zimmerman didn't have the tag number already, but could have gotten it just by looking out the window, do you think Sharon wouldn't have wanted the information?
We are at an impasse as I see a dispatcher asking real time questions as being a significant difference that might lead to a change in actions. Asking to "let me know if he does anything" and "which way is he running" are not requests other dispatchers made. Again, I don't think this was the sole reason GZ acted differently, but I do believe it played a role.
In the previous call, did the dispatcher ask if he had gotten a plate number or if he could get one? Do you think GZ could have gotten the tag of the vehicle parked by the back gate by looking out the window of his house? Do you think GZ wouldn't have gotten the plate number if he could have without being conspicuous?
In each case the dispatcher expressed interest in certain information. In no case did the dispatcher suggest Zimmerman change his location or put himself at risk to gain the information. Those are the only relevant issues I can see.
This case was different as GZ was observing real time and the dispatcher was asking for real time information and prompting GZ's involvement. Sean asked that GZ let him know if this guy does anything. GZ apparently interpreted this as a request for him to get to somewhere where he could observe TM. I don't think GZ felt he was putting himself at risk by doing this from the security of his vehicle. Sean asked GZ which way he was running. I don't think he meant for GZ to get out of his vehicle and follow TM. I don't think at that moment GZ felt he was putting himself at risk by getting out of the vehicle to see if he could tell where TM ran off to.
Like the other NEN calls, I don't believe GZ wanted to put himself at risk and confront the suspect and in the last case he had several opportunities to do so and did not. I'm not sure how those suggesting GZ confronted TM reconciles this fact.