Milwaukee city officials met behind closed doors on Friday to discuss why emergency services took nearly three hours to reach a 99-year-old woman after she was attacked in her home.
The Public Safety and Health Committee heard from representatives of the Department of Emergency Communications, Milwaukee police and fire departments, and the Fire and Police Commission. The meeting at City Hall lasted about two hours before the doors were reopened.
Members and officials declined to discuss what had been said. One alderman referred to the meeting as “Fight Club”, invoking the rule from the 1999 film that those involved do not talk about it.
Before the private session, Ald Peter Burgelis questioned the need to discuss the facts in secret. City attorney Evan Goyke replied that the committee should first hear legal advice because the city was facing a potential claim.
Committee chair Scott Spiker said there was “a lot to discuss”, but that he had been advised by the city attorney about what could be addressed publicly. Mr Spiker and Alderwoman Sharlen Moore voted to enter closed session, while Mr Burgelis abstained.
Milwaukee 911 delay under scrutiny
The incident happened on 27 July, when a man allegedly broke into the woman’s home and severely beat her. She has been identified by her lawyers only as Shirley.
According to information previously released by the city and her legal team, a medical-alert service contacted Milwaukee’s 911 centre shortly after 5.15am, reporting a disturbance and possible threats of violence. A second call followed minutes later, with an open audio connection said to have captured sounds from inside the house.
The calls did not lead to an immediate emergency response. Shirley eventually crawled to her telephone and called 911 herself at about 7.51am, telling the operator that she had been attacked. Police arrived at approximately 8.23am, after fire crews had staged nearby until the scene was secured.
Her lawyer, Chris MacGillis, has said Shirley suffered facial fractures, blunt-force trauma and severe cuts, requiring more than 100 stitches. She spent nine days in hospital and is now receiving care in an acute facility.
The Milwaukee Department of Emergency Communications has completed an internal review, but the resulting records have not been released. The department has said two call-takers resigned rather than face dismissal, while a third employee is to receive further training.
Mr MacGillis has indicated that legal action against the city is being considered, although no lawsuit had been filed by Friday. The city attorney said the prospect of litigation was the reason legal advice was given before the committee proceeded in private.
The man accused of attacking Shirley, Joseph Guadalupe Macias, faces felony charges including battery causing great bodily harm, reckless injury and burglary. He has denied no allegations in court, and the case remains ongoing.
