The Breakdown of 911 Services in Chicago

What would you do if you called 911, and no one ever came? Logan Square Homeowner Tackles Man Who Broke Into His Home, But Police Never Show Up

A Logan Square resident chased and restrained a man who broke into his home earlier this month, setting off an alarm that should have alerted police.

But cops never showed up because of a 911 dispatcher error, the family said. Now, the man and his wife are demanding accountability from the city and a greater police presence on their block.

This wasn't a fender bender, or a burglary discovered when the homeowners returned from work. This was a home invasion.

And Logan Square (a neighborhood in Chicago) is a bastion of Leftist ideology, so the very idea that the homeowner should be armed in his own defense is anathema to the residents, and the reporters. Though this is the kind of event that might change those attitudes. (From the rest of the story, I doubt it in this case.)

There were two alarms in the area, apparently where the intruder had tried to break into another home. Cops were sent only to the first address.

Even the dispatcher recognized that this was a major screw up.

“That’s all I’ve thought about, was seeing my husband get shot. … Luckily, [the intruder] had nothing,” she said. “Even the 911 dispatcher was like, ‘You could’ve been killed.’ I have to keep reminding myself that did not happen. But how easily that could’ve gone sideways is what churns my stomach.”

Her husband said his “biggest frustration” is the city’s handling of the incident. Since the home invasion, the couple has contacted their alderperson and police district to get more patrolmen and police cameras on their block — but everyone keeps passing the buck, he said.

It sounds like the people involved have decided to move out of the city, though that isn't clear from the article.

Callig 911 is a fine thing to do. They can send all kinds of help your way in an emergency. But they can also drop the ball, and leave you on your own. You should have a Plan B for the obvious things.