We know you need help - we just can't find you

[khaosworks]

No Help for Callers in Trouble
By Michelle Delio
02:00 AM Apr. 18, 2003 PT

NEW YORK -- Trapped on a capsizing 8-foot fiberglass dingy floundering in 33-degree waters off New York, Henry Badillo used his cell phone to make a desperate plea for help.

"We're taking in water.... We're on the Long Island Sound in a boat off the coast of City I ... oh, my God, we're going to die!" Badillo screamed in his 12-second call to a 911 emergency services operator on Jan. 24, 2003.

Badillo, stranded on the boat with three friends, didn't have time to say exactly where he was before the call cut off, and the operator did not clearly hear his reference to City Island, which could have helped to pinpoint the boat's location.

The operator and her supervisor decided they didn't have enough information to request assistance. Badillo and his friends died that night.

Their parents believe they might have been rescued if New York's 911 system was able to trace cell-phone callers' locations, a service that the state has been collecting taxes to implement for more than a decade.

Since 1991 New York state has collected at least $200 million from a surcharge added to every New Yorker's cell-phone bill. The money is earmarked for installing an "E911" service, which uses GPS technology to quickly trace the location of 911 callers on their cell phones.

But instead of paying for a Wireless Enhanced 911 system, the money has gone to the state police, who have spent the funds on departmental dry cleaning bills, ballpoint pens, travel, car leases, grounds maintenance for precincts and winter boots, according to an audit (PDF) conducted by the New York State comptroller's office.

The boys' parents are now supporting a bill (A.3911) to expedite the rollout of the E911 system. The bill -- the Wireless 911 Local Incentive Funding Enhancement Program -- has passed the state Assembly but is stalled in the state Senate.

New York state Assemblyman David Koon is sponsoring the bill. In a recent hearing on Enhanced 911, Koon said that New York budget woes could account for the bill's slow progress through the state Senate. The state is trying to close an $11.5 billion budget shortfall in the new fiscal year.

I'm actually kind of surprised that the neocons haven't taken up the cause to get this rushed through, because surely the ability to trace cell phone locations quickly would be making the Justice Department salivate. The FCC has actually set a deadline for a nationwide E911 system by December 2005 - originally they wanted it up by 2001.

Privacy issues aside (and to be realistic, the cops would need the same authority for wireless line traces as they now need for hard lines - I have a hard time envisaging a rational court making a distinction in that regard), given the proclivity of cell phone use these days, having 911 traces being limited to hard lines is getting more and more unrealistic. If the tech is available, it should be used. In any case, even if there are technical problems, you don't mislead taxpayers by using those funds earmarked for the program development to be used for petty cash, for chrissakes. Where I come from, we call that criminal breach of trust.

There's an FCC hearing to determine why there's a delay in the roll out on April 29th. Those interested in this issue might want to pay attention to that date. Concerned New Yorkers might also want to contact your relevant representatives and show your support - or not - for A.3911.