Steve Forrette <forrette@sim.berkeley.edu> (08/03/90)
Because of recent talk of 911 response, I thought I'd relate an experience that I just had a few minutes ago. I was up late working, and heard a woman screaming in the street right in front of where I live. Since I live in the "south campus" area near UC Berkeley, people screaming in the middle of the night (because they're drunk, etc.) is not all that unusual, but this sounded like more than that. Then "(Scream) Somebody help me!" 911: "Berkeley Emergency" Me: "There's a woman screaming for help in the street" 911: "Is she in front of your house?" Me: "I'm not sure, but within a couple of houses to either side." 911: "Okay, we're on our way. Can you see what she looks like?" Me: "No, the trees are blocking my view." 911: "Would you like to leave your name?" Me: "I think you know who I am." 911: "(small chuckle) Yes, we're on our way. *click*" By the time I got downstairs, a patrol car had arrived. Now this seems to be the correct implementation of the system, eh? I was never asked for my address, and they sent a unit while they were getting additional information. If only everything worked this well... It turns out that some random person was hassling this woman, and had hit her a couple of times. I hope they caught the guy.