In the past few years, I have witnessed assaults, robberies and break-ins, violent drivers and threatening lunatics on the street. A few of those times, I have dialed 9-1-1 and thought that perhaps I was going crazy. Nobody answered the phone. If they did answer, and I told them about the crime in progress, they put me on hold and then the call was transferred to L.A.P.D. who answered with a Spanish speaking recorded message.

Now, an L.A. Times article confirms that the 9-1-1 system is completely overwhelmed by phone calls. There are some emergency calls that take TWENTY-SEVEN minutes to be answered. The reason: the California Highway Patrol, in an archaic arrangement, takes “mobile” calls that used to originate only from drivers. Since we all use wireless phones now, the CHP has become the clearinghouse for every single mobile 9-1-1 call.

The L.A. Times article is terrifying because it details how long it takes for help to arrive. Anyone who lives in L.A. knows that we are under policed, but we are now living in a 21st Century city with a response system that cannot respond.

If you need help, don’t call 9-1-1.