Irritated by early morning ‘courtesy call’ during storm

Last Saturday morning, after being awakened by the storm numerous times, I had finally fallen asleep. At 4 a.m. the phone rings.

The worst possible scenarios are going through my head as I get up to answer the phone. Something must be terribly wrong for someone to call at this hour. I answer the phone and it’s a prerecorded courtesy call from the City of Rolling Meadows letting me know that should I venture out for a ride at 4 a.m. I will find some roads underwater and some closed due to the large storm that we are experiencing.

My fear turns to anger, as I figured somebody must have made a mistake sending out calls at this hour. It took hours for me to fall back to sleep.

I called City Hall Monday expecting to receive an apology for the early call. I was directed to Mr. Dave Scanlon, the chief of police. He was not the least bit apologetic, but seemed rather unhappy that I was complaining. He said that I was the first person to complain and that he had received nothing but praise for what he did. He said that people were glad to be awakened because “basements were flooding and cars were floating away.”

I decided to ask friends and neighbors what they thought of the early phone call. An informal poll among neighbors and friends, finds everyone against receiving early calls. The comments ranged from “bewildered” as to why he would do that, to “livid”.

Mr. Scanlon did say that he would welcome a call from anyone who had a complaint. So, Rolling Meadows residents, if you received a call, and are unhappy, let him know. If you think he did the right thing, I’m sure he would enjoy hearing from you as well.

Larry Schuetz

Rolling Meadows