Here’s an outrageous situation where greedy government and attempts to reach in its citizens’ wallets has gone completely out of control. The city of Castle Hills, Texas voted that each resident is allowed one 911 call a year but would charge residents a fee in this San Antonio suburb of FIFTY FIVE DOLLARS for their “First Responder’s Fee.” The city only budgeted a miserly $215,000 for their EMS services for the year. Unless their whole population consists of young, healthy, morally pure citizens who can somehow live under a magic dome where even the wicked mother nature can’t cause a problem or two, this budget is absurd leading to the greater absurdity, charging a stiff fee for EMERGENCY services.
Supposedly, this fee does not apply if the caller is reporting an active fire or requesting police help. So does this mean residents can call all they want to complain about their neighbors playing music too loud or “Eeks, we smell smoke!” likewise complaining about FIRE the aroma of a neighbor’s backyard barbeque? Meanwhile, what about citizens with chronic conditions, the elderly with serious health problems likely on a fixed income? A city spokesman said they could, of course, possibly be reimbursed by their health insurance. Oh really? What about people who haven’t reached Medicare age and have no insurance? Do they take VISA or MasterCard? Are residents supposed to have fifty five dollars in exact change handy should the unfortunate befall them a second time?
911 abuse is a serious problem in almost every district in the country where people elevate to emergency status silly things like ratting on neighbors who might not comply with city ordinances on how their garbage is supposed to be put curbside or that someone’s dog poopied in the wrong place. Medical emergencies are no laughing matter. While some will point out stories of calling ambulances for minor situation that do not require emergency attention sadly emergency rooms are the only point of entry for many poor and under insured citizens entrée into the medical system. It is the emergency responders’ duty to take all citizen requests seriously. Corrective measures can be taken against the abusers after the fact and perhaps more severe penalties need to be considered for those who abuse the system.
No matter how one looks at it, the struggles many municipalities are having funding necessary public services or considering how the 911 service is abused, the approach enacted by Castle Hills, Texas isn’t just wrong, it’s downright mean and immoral. Their ridiculous decision must be reversed NOW.
Supposedly, this fee does not apply if the caller is reporting an active fire or requesting police help. So does this mean residents can call all they want to complain about their neighbors playing music too loud or “Eeks, we smell smoke!” likewise complaining about FIRE the aroma of a neighbor’s backyard barbeque? Meanwhile, what about citizens with chronic conditions, the elderly with serious health problems likely on a fixed income? A city spokesman said they could, of course, possibly be reimbursed by their health insurance. Oh really? What about people who haven’t reached Medicare age and have no insurance? Do they take VISA or MasterCard? Are residents supposed to have fifty five dollars in exact change handy should the unfortunate befall them a second time?
911 abuse is a serious problem in almost every district in the country where people elevate to emergency status silly things like ratting on neighbors who might not comply with city ordinances on how their garbage is supposed to be put curbside or that someone’s dog poopied in the wrong place. Medical emergencies are no laughing matter. While some will point out stories of calling ambulances for minor situation that do not require emergency attention sadly emergency rooms are the only point of entry for many poor and under insured citizens entrée into the medical system. It is the emergency responders’ duty to take all citizen requests seriously. Corrective measures can be taken against the abusers after the fact and perhaps more severe penalties need to be considered for those who abuse the system.
No matter how one looks at it, the struggles many municipalities are having funding necessary public services or considering how the 911 service is abused, the approach enacted by Castle Hills, Texas isn’t just wrong, it’s downright mean and immoral. Their ridiculous decision must be reversed NOW.
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