911 System
Re “Unanswered Calls Still Plague 911 System,” April 17:
Every time I read an article on the overburdened 911 system, I ask myself: Why not charge $1 for each incoming call? Anyone having or viewing a life-threatening emergency wouldn’t think twice about the cost. Public telephones could remain free of charge. Let the crank callers help pay for the system’s upkeep.
WILLIAM F. BALLAS
Burbank
* I agree that the number of non- emergency calls to 911 (85%) is horrendous. But, look at the phone book. Under the 911 number the reader is sent to the government listings to find info--not always fast and easy. If the listing of local police numbers replaced the 13 lifeguard numbers (GTE phone book) on the back of the cover page, people might use the police numbers more readily.
SUSAN SOTO-CAMPOS
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