Editorial Rant on 911 Calls

A Cincinnati (Ohio) newspaper editorial points out the problems associated with cellular calls that are made near the city’s riverside border with Kentucky, after a couple was victimized by a robber. The Cincinnati Inquirer said the crime, “exposed an inexcusable flaw in this region’s public safety net. At the very least, unresolved issues of jurisdiction create confusion during emergencies and, at worst, could jeopardize lives.” The male was robbed, and his female companion was kidnapped and raped. The man dialed 911 after untying himself, but a Cincinnati calltaker transferred two calls to Kentucky police agencies, and both calls were apparently disconnected. The newspaper concluded, “As ever more attractions are added to our riverfronts, it becomes that much more urgent for this region’s police and fire to respond as one, regardless of state lines and jurisdictional boundaries.” Read the editorial here.