Send them the bill

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September 25, 2008

Each year, public safety officials in Derry, Londonderry and Chester answer hundreds of emergency calls for which there was no actual emergency.

Some are false fire and burglar alarms that either go off erroneously due to mechanical problems or are set off intentionally by pranksters.

There are also hang-up 911 calls that result in unnecessary responses. Again, some of these calls are simple mistakes, but others are hoaxes.

And then there are the cases such as the situation that took place on Sunday, Sept. 21, when emergency officials from Derry joined state Fish and Wildlife officials in responding to the Hidden Valley RV Campground, after a 911 call from two campers who stated they had gotten lost while hiking.

These hikers were located just 150 yards from their campsite. According to the report filed by the Fish and Game officials, the men allegedly had been drinking heavily and had decided to go for a late-night hike when they got lost. They lit a fire before deciding to call for help.

Given the circumstances surrounding this "emergency," state and local officials are considering sending the men a bill for the response and rescue.

We think that is an excellent idea.

False alarms and unnecessary responses cost emergency service departments thousands of dollars every year in wasted resources, and increased wear and tear on emergency equipment.

More importantly, they occupy emergency vehicles and crews, which could increase response times to an actual emergency that could occur.

We encourage officials to bill these campers for creating an emergency due to their own irresponsible behavior.

Moreover, we would encourage local police and fire departments to establish rules that would result in homeowners, business owners and property managers being billed for excessive false alarms and unneeded emergency responses to the properties they are responsible for. Most of these calls can be eliminated through proper alarm maintenance and better accountability.

A reduction in these false emergencies would result in better overall emergency service and a significant cost savings.

Ending the silence

Though not a disease, the conditions that fall under the umbrella of autism have reached epidemic proportions in this country.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 1-in-150 children are affected by some type of autism.

More than 25,000 children will be diagnosed this year. This figure is greater than that for pediatric AIDS, cancer and diabetes combined.

Symptoms vary and can include difficulties in learning and communication, as well as hyperactivity.

The condition not only impacts the child but the entire family, which struggles to create an environment that resembles normalcy.

There is no known cure and no identified cause.

For families such as the Groucher clan of Derry, whose story can be found on page 1, the best thing they can do is raise money for awareness and research.

For that reason, they are joining other families in the Autism Speaks Walk for Research on Oct. 5 in Nashua, The Grouchers will be walking under the banner of Toni's Tigers. Their team named for their 14-year-old daughter, who lives with the condition.

We encourage our readers to support the Grouchers or any of the other families that are participating in this great event. Autism is a rapidly growing health concern among children.

It puts added stress on families as well as school departments. Finding effective treatments and identifying the causes of autism serves the best interest of the entire community.