The Chronicle begins a story on VoIP coverage and 911 service in the following ominous manner:
Lured by low phone rates, Peter John’s family found that saving money could endanger their lives after learning the one number they cannot dial: 911.
John and his wife, Sosamma, were attacked by two men at their southwest Houston home earlier this month. As they struggled with the intruders, John was shot in the right thigh and torso. His wife was wounded in the left thigh.
But when their 17-year-old daughter Joyce, who was in the house at the time, tried 911, the call would not go through.
The attackers fled, leaving a shaken John wondering whether to reconsider his money-saving phone plan.
“It’s scary,” John said.
Note how the issue is framed from the very beginning to cast doubt on whatever company might be offering such service. The article goes on to suggest that various governmental authorities might get involved in the problem thus framed.
Fortunately, Laurence Simon has provided some additional insight on one aspect the Chron coverage downplayed: personal responsibility.
