A Chicago woman who called 911 during a frightening home invasion was left waiting for hours, with dispatchers advising her to contact her local representative to demand more police funding.
The woman, identified only as Michelle, called 911 six times after coming face-to-face with two masked intruders who entered her home in the Wicker Park neighborhood around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
“A gentleman got on and said sorry to say we have no units to send you … then there was an awkward pause,” Michelle told NBC Chicago. “He also recommended I call my alderman and I said why, and he said encourage him to hire more police. The dispatcher also asked me if I would consider defending myself … if I had a weapon or considered getting one.”
Despite promises from dispatchers that help was on the way, officers did not arrive for four hours. When Michelle demanded answers from a dispatch supervisor, she was told that the slow response was due to the city’s lackluster police department funding.
The Chicago Police Department attributed the delay to the priority list for routine dispatch calls, stating that because there was no immediate threat to life, Michelle’s call was given lower priority.
When officers finally arrived, they apologized for the long wait time. Michelle emphasized that she does not blame the police, saying, “I don’t think it is the police department’s fault they are overstaffed and overwhelmed.”
