Who is Worthy of Help if Not Those in Danger?

By Alicia Dorr in News on Jul 19, 2007 6:06PM

One of the many things we pay taxes for is local and community help during emergencies. One of the most universally known emergency services is 911, which saves lives daily. Most people assume it is the best possible option for them — unfortunately for some residents on the Southwest side last weekend, though, it wasn't.

Fifty-one calls were made to 911 last weekend reporting a brawl in Durkin Park, but it was 26 minutes before law enforcement responded. In a community meeting last night the area's police commander promised to get to the bottom of the situation, but that really doesn't help the 16-year-old boy who ended up in a coma and the eight others who were injured.

We're just scratching out heads, thinking, "What the hell happened?" The two dispatchers on duty at the time are on administrative leave and the two police who ignored the call when on duty are on leave as well. Some community members say the neglect was due to racism, which the police vehemently deny. At the same time, it makes you wonder — what could possibly have stopped them from helping? What was the reasoning for these situations, here and in other states? We never want to find out the hard way when we're in tremendous danger like these people did that calls we make to 911, for one reason or another, just aren't getting through.

Image of the first 911 call from 911dispatch.com.