Coroner’s Office Bureaucracy

* My 4 1/2-year-old niece, Amy Tyre-Vigil, was killed in the earthquake (Jan. 18, 23) and my sister and brother-in-law were seriously injured. Fortunately and unfortunately, our family learned much about how government services can function in such times.

The rescue efforts of the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Los Angeles Police Department were of the highest quality and caliber. Not only were the individuals involved professionally superb in the way they responded to the emergency and effected the extremely difficult rescue of my sister and brother-in-law, they proved to be caring and loving individuals. What they did on Jan. 17 and what they have done since deserves a separate special letter and commendation.

Unfortunately, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office did not perform so well. As I attempted to get my niece’s body released, I ran into government red tape and bureaucracy as well as discourteous, insensitive and poorly trained employees. More than 48 hours after her death, I was unable to get Amy’s body released or even get a date when she would be released. We still do not have Amy’s personal effects, which I believe the coroner’s office lost although officials deny it. With the exception of one individual named Ron in Personal Property, each and every contact with the coroner’s office was a horrible and unprofessional experience.

How did we get Amy released? It took a call to Supervisor Ed Edelman’s office. He and his staff took an immediate interest and acted quickly to help us cut through the red tape.

The coroner’s office should be thoroughly investigated, and alternatives for the handling of such sensitive matters should be given serious consideration. Apparently the coroner is not motivated to provide caring or efficient service to his constituents in a time of extreme grief and sorrow.

ROBERT D. TYRE

Mt. Kisco, N.Y.