Although I currently live in New York City, I grew up in Malibu, and having just graduated college, I am home visiting friends/family. Once again I find myself navigating Pacific Coast Highway in the summer, not a simple task.
Around 9 p.m. a couple weeks ago I had the misfortune of being in back of a drunk driver who was weaving down our notoriously dangerous highway. As prompted by the “Report Drunk Drivers Call 911” signs, I did my civic duty, noting the license plate and car description, only to be told by the operator that I was not calling the correct jurisdiction. I stayed on hold for a while as I followed the erring vehicle, only to be told, again, that the call had been forwarded to the wrong office! They told me to stop following the car because of the obvious dangers, so I turned onto Sunset as they connected me to LAPD. I was again put on hold, and, although I was eventually connected to the correct authority, the license plate number I had originally given the first 911 dispatch operator could no longer be found. I spent more than 10 minutes on the phone with the various 911 operators. All the while, the silver sedan was weaving precariously from lane to lane as it continued down PCH.
I was away at college when 13-year-old Emily Shane was tragically killed on PCH not far from my home, but I seem to recall reading that numerous good Samaritans also reported a dangerous driver on PCH prior to the accident that ended my young friend’s life. The 911 system is in dire need of constructive changes. It is unacceptable to have to talk with three offices before I can report a crime.
Rebecca Gray