Wow, this story is amazing. Apparently, the Golden Rule doesn't apply in this town where many residents were pissed at getting a phone call alert about a missing child with autism.
Emergency alert about missing boy has residents up in arms
MIDDLETOWN – The morning after the dramatic search for a 14-year-old autistic boy, city police officials are standing behind their decision to send out an emergency phone alert late Thursday evening.
After reports that Middletown resident Nathan Chapman went missing, police notified the public by way of a phone alert sent out at approximately 11:30 p.m., a decision some residents are now up in arms over.
Dozens of locals have complained of the “inconvenience” of the late-night call and more, still, have asked how they can be removed from the system.
“I’ve gotten at least 40 calls on my personal phone alone,” Acting Deputy Chief of Police Gregory Sneed said. “It’s unfortunate that their sleep was disturbed, but this was a child. A 14-year-old autistic child. And he’s been found because of the public’s help.”
According to Sneed, the alert system, used only for emergency situations, is a way for the police department to transmit critical information to Middletown residents including flood warnings, Amber Alerts and dangerous persons reports.
“Once this is explained to them, the majority of people think it’s great,” Sneed said.
Chapman was reported missing late Thursday evening.
Police immediately sent out an alert asking residents to be on the lookout for the missing boy and gave his description. About 20 minutes later, Chapman was found at Cityside Condos on the corner of South Main Street and Randolph Road.
More: http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/07/16/news/doc4c409d6d24c9b517144780.txt
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