City in California to start charging folks for calling 911

[Crazedclerkthe2nd]

http://consumerist.com/2010/02/california-town-to-start-charging-up-to-400-for-911-calls.html

Sad but true. A cash strapped town out west is set to begin charging people between $50 and $400 for the "privilege" of being able to use 911 services during an emergency.

[Nyoibo]

Well there goes bystanders calling for help for someone.

[Rageaholic]

How is that even legal?

[Vagabond]

Yeah, I was going to report that (fire/rape/robbery/burglary) but I didn't have $XX to pay for the call.

And... if you are calling from a disposable mobile, or a pay phone... how are they going to charge you?

[Nyoibo]

"Your call could not be connected, please insert $299.75"

[Vagabond]

Nyoibo - LOL.

And people used to look at me funny when I suggested that the Mafia be put in charge of policing activities. As far as I know:
1. The Mafia never went broke.
2. If you paid them 'protection money' they looked after you, your family and your business.
3. The Mafia rarely had a problem with 'repeat offenders'. Bad people were usually given 2 choices - get out of town, or go under the ground.
4. No one messed around with the Mafia; at least not more than once.

(Yes, I realize that there are several problems with putting the Mafia in charge of policing activities, however - I can like/admire the 4 points which seem to elude some of today's police.)

[elsporko]

Thats what happens when politicians can't raise taxes

[powerboy]

That city is about 45 minutes away from me. Its sad and if I am in that town and someone needs help. Well I aint helping.

I just wonder about the criminals. They hear about that and they will come out in droves. Because they know that the people they are robbing will most likely not be able to afford to call the police.

I also wonder if more people are going to take the law into their own hands, when someone tries to rob them?

[Wingates_Hellsing]

That city is about 45 minutes away from me. Its sad and if I am in that town and someone needs help. Well I aint helping.

I just wonder about the criminals. They hear about that and they will come out in droves. Because they know that the people they are robbing will most likely not be able to afford to call the police.

I also wonder if more people are going to take the law into their own hands, when someone tries to rob them?

If they're equipped to do so, I don't see why they wouldn't...

[smileyeagle1021]

Hey, if you think that is bad, starting later this year I will have to pay $18.50 a month for police coverage... that is on top of the taxes I already pay. The 7-11 downt he street will pay $379 per month base PLUS $6 per 9 employess (if I understand it correctly)...
We just got a nice notice in the mail explaining how much we are all expected to pay for police fees in Salt Lake County... there is no mention of what happens if you don't pay the fee, but I can only imagine that ultimately it could lead to rules that if you don't pay the fee you can't recieve police services.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

That really is crossing the line into extortion/criminal lack of duty. I sense that NRA Self-Defense instructors across the country will see quite the turn out for classes ;)

In all seriousness, we had problems with police protection being biased and useless to parts of the population before, this could only make it worse...

[Vagabond]

Hmmm... Maybe the Mafia isn't such a bad idea now...
Police - Police brutality gets someone on the force fired
Mafia - Mafia brutality can be expected
Police - Maybe they know your name
Mafia - Know your name, your family, your Signif Other, your ex (and for $150 you can have 'em whacked), ...
Police - With marked cars and uniforms, everyone can identify them
Mafia - You never can tell.
Police - Can't chase a suspect down, too many jelly donuts
Mafia - Already know where the suspect lives, and is cooking spaghetti there now, waiting...

Hmmmm... now if we can only cut down on their illegal and harmful activities and turn some of their more positive traits into the benefit of the communities...

[Kimmik]

WTF is Tracy thinking omfg... Only in fucking california... so glad I freaking moved... lived in stockton.. grew up in the foothills.. and let me tell you this a bad bad thing..

[KitterCat]

Why did I intently think of the one short flick of a movie I’ve seen. A old colored lady making a phone call to emergency services (you could just call the local branch direct I guess and avoid the 911 fee) telling the operator “I’m being robbed. Now I don’t want to see no Popo being sent around here. Just send an ambulance. I’ll take care of the problem, I just need you for the clean up.” Could they charge you if your just calling for “clean up” services? After all it wouldn’t necessarily be an emergency any more. :p

[Stormraven]

According to an article I read today, they're not charging for 911 calls. The charge - and one that is apparently used by many municipalities - applies only to calls made for Fire Department medical (which usually arrive before ambulances).

[Fryk]

Yes, but can you opt out of Fire Dept Medical while you're on the phone?

Will the 911 operator have to ask people that, like a McDonald's cashier?

"Ok, you're having an emergency? Do you want FMD with that?"

[Stormraven]

I'm not sure, but the article also mentions that most medical insurance pays for it. (Barring Medicare/Medicaid, I think). And that no charge is made if the patient dies.

The biggest point is that it's not a fee for calling 911 - so if you have to call for the police, one of the big blow-ups about the article, you won't be charged at all.

[lordlundar]

I'm not sure, but the article also mentions that most medical insurance pays for it. (Barring Medicare/Medicaid, I think). And that no charge is made if the patient dies.

At the risk of derailing the thread unintentionally, consider that outside of Hawaii, the saturation of medical insurance is pretty low as most people can't afford it. Considering that the most affordable and easily attainable isn't covered by it shows just how bad of an idea it is.

[jackfaire]

*blinks* Uhm every area I have ever lived in 911 is not free it is paid for as part of your phone bill. One of the charges is a fee that pays for 911 services.

[Fryk]

That is true Jack. So does the town of Tracy not charge that fee (unlikely), or are they double dipping for FMD?