Tragic Consequences of Overwhelmed 911 System

A woman died in St. Louis during a storm after neighbors were unable to reach 911 for 30 minutes. The city's 911 system has been plagued with problems for years, with staffing shortages and delays in responding to emergency calls. In 2022, 40% of callers were put on hold for at least 10 seconds, far exceeding the industry standard. Officials, including Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, have pledged to address the issue, but little progress has been made. Alderwoman Cara Spencer suggests combining the 911 systems for police, fire, and emergency medical services and fully staffing the central office. The recent budget cut by Missouri Governor Mike Parson has further hindered efforts to improve the system.