Paying for 911 calls?

[Warhorse]

In South Florida, a town's leaders are proposing a fee to patrons who use the 911 system, either it be a burglary, a missing child, or a burning home. They want to charge anywhere from 800 bucks and up for each call, depending on the severity of the case.

While the town in for this, it is part of the bigger West Palm Beach Metro area, and all laws and such have to go through Palm Beach County commisioners. They thankfully turned it down, fearing that people will be hesitant in calling 911 in fear of being slammed with an outrageous bill.

Not to mention that isn't this why we pay taxes? For the police department, fire department and schools?

Have any of you seen such a scenario being presented, or worse, implemented in your cities?

[Mr. Snackpants]

That is terrible, good thing there was enough common sense to turn it down. People would be very hesitant to call for help like the article says. Some people don't call ambulances because of the cost (like if they have no insurance or it wont be covered), and if that law had passed people would do the same. It's basically the worst idea ever.

[Katie]

Let's not even talk about the medical bills I racked up last year...Ambulancex2...Two separate emergency room visits....two surgeries....outpatient therapy...etc, etc, etc.


What I would be worried about would be people who witnessed accidents, crimes, etc, not calling in because of being billed. I could have been dead twice this year if not for folks calling 911.

[jeff the cheff]

I've heard of someone being charged $500 for a 911 call here.

[Aelia]

Being charged for 911 calls? I can imagine the death rate in some cities rapidly increasing because nobody wants to pay the $800 fee.

[Ecto Jedi]

Let's not even talk about the medical bills I racked up last year...Ambulancex2...Two separate emergency room visits....two surgeries....outpatient therapy...etc, etc, etc.

Now don't you wish you lived in Canada, where we enjoy national health care? :)

[Masked Ninja]

I suppose this a reflection of the number of idiots who call 911 as a prank because they're bored, and waste all kinds of money because the emergency squad isn't supposed to just assume it's a joke.

But actually charging for it... it would help cut down on those pranks, but by punishing people who actually need help. Why not just fine people who are judged to have called in vain, and have it work normally for people who had a legit need? :/

[Peanut]

Now don't you wish you lived in Canada, where we enjoy national health care? :)

Exactly what I was thinking. We rule up here!

[Ecto Jedi]

Exactly what I was thinking. We rule up here!

Yep. Who ever heard of paying for ambulance rides or visiting the emergency room? What a crazy concept...

[Death's Head]

Oh man. I feel that the whole concept of this is extremely ludacris, yes? I ask myself why they would need money to save the lives of innocents. Jobs like that are meant strictly for mercs-for-hire, not professionals whose top priorities are to protect innocents at all cost.

I mean, Superman wouldn't exactly be revered in Metro' if he charged people for protecting them, eh?

[Warhorse]

You Canadians are lucky. But watch out, you might get a wave of American refugees heading your way to take advantage of all that free health care.

[Rooish]

The probability of Canada's health care becoming less free is becoming higher with certain current trends in government ...

At any rate, Warhorse, that's one of the most terrifying things I've ever heard. Eight hundred ****ing dollars for a call? That's ... ugh. What the hell is wrong with those in charge; don't they want their citizens to be alive? That's an obscene price for anybody, but it will keep poorer people even more ****ed than they were before, because now they can't even afford to call 911 when they're in trouble. Go team government!

Sorry, I haven't been so mad in a long time. :x

I guess I'll go eat some crackers and Cheez Whiz ...

Edit: Heh, they blocked out my swear words. Ah well.

[Katie]

you're right about poor people being screwed...but what else is new. the poor people bear the weight of the country and it gets worse by the day

But, I can also see why they would do it. Funding for the 911 system is up to the individual counties in most places around here. Some really poor counties do not have enough money to allocate to 911 for upgrades and staffing.

Maybe in a round about way they think they are doing better to save lives by charging.

it still sucks

[Rooish]

I see what you mean. I was just terrified at the jump ...

Free to $800!

[Warhorse]

Not to mention that people will be afraid to call 911 in fear of unexpected outrageous fees.

It doesn't matter, I think they entire system, no matter what it is, is going corrupt.

But did you see that story they had on CBS evening news, on an island in Denmark that is trying new enviromentally friendly ways for running their farms.
They are using wind mills, solar panel roofs and florescent light bulbs for electricity, and they are using oils garnered from vegetables to power their tractors and vehicles.

[dejawolf]

i really do hope they add a fine for prank calls to 911.

[Deathknight]

Dude, that's crap. $800 to call 911 when you have an emergency? We pay taxes for that. God, before you know it they're going to be charging us to breath air.