South Bend EMS/Fire evacuate scene after threatening group forms Save Email Print
Posted: 3:48 PM Jul 22, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:13 AM Jul 23, 2008
 Reporter: Sarah Platt
Email Address: sarah.platt@wndu.com
79 comments
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They are the people we count on every day, especially if we are hurt or in danger.

But sometimes emergency crews can fall into danger themselves.

Around 1:30 Tuesday morning, a South Bend EMS and fire crew had to call for police back-up after responding to a call on Laurel Court.

EMS workers were able to get their patient out of the situation, but they took off quickly, feeling intimidated by a large group of people who gathered in the area.

They were responding to a woman's call for help.

She had suffered some bad cuts after slipping and falling on glass.

Police say they arrived shortly after the ambulance took off, but by then any signs of a ruckus or danger had passed.

South Bend Fire officials tell us EMS and firefighters were never threatened directly, but they felt like a fight was brewing between 20 or 30 people who had gathered. At that point, crews became concerned for their safety.

NewsCenter 16 obtained tapes from dispatch, where you can hear the urgency in the voices of EMS workers and firefighters calling from the scene.

EMS to 911: "South Bend Medic 4-- we need 10-35 (police) here right now! Help us!"

911: "10-4, they're been dispatched."

911: "There's yelling in the background, medics sound panicked. 1047 Laurel Court."

EMS/FIRE: "South Bend to Engine 1, we are in trouble here!"

911: "10-35 (police) is en route, they've been dispatched."

This incident is a reminder of the dangers that rescue teams face on a regular basis.

In fact, just yesterday, a St. Louis area firefighter was shot to death while putting out a truck fire.

Local medical crews and firefighters are trained to evacuate scenes that they deem dangerous.

"The captain that was on the scene -- in this instance from Engine 1 -- he determined that it was a dangerous scene and they backed off the scene," explains Steve Cox, Assistance Chief for South Bend Fire EMS. "Our personnel managed to get the patient into the ambulance and they were able to get away from the scene without any of our personnel being injured."
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Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 30, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Interesting; Frank said NOTHING about race, yet Anonymous assumed a racial component. It's pretty easy to throw that race card around, isn't it? No wonder no one is buying that argument anymore.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 30, 2008 at 03:04 PM
I own rental properties in Illinois and pay a real estate agent to screen potential renters for me. It's not "racial profiling" if you base your decision on decent credit ratings, past landlord references and proof of income! I could care less if they were black, white, hispanic or an alien....as long as they meet my criteria. Your chances of having any problems are far less by screening potential renters instead of just letting anyone rent.
Posted by: Me Location: Mishawaka on Jul 30, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Way to go Mayor Bozo, keep building and giving more homes and apartments to these low life scum thugs!! The fire dept. should have taken the fire hose and sprayed these cockroaches down the drain!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Frank, "screen renters better"? That would be called "racial profiling".
Posted by: Frank on Jul 29, 2008 at 06:47 PM
lovinfirefighters, you're right! Let the complex burn! Only thing is, just like rats and cockroaches, the scum will scuttle somewhere else to live. If less places took section 8, and landlords screened who they rented to, there's be a lot less crime. That's one way of showing them we don't want lowlife scum in our town. Maybe landlords should be held more responsible for their tenants actions?
Posted by: lovinfirefighters Location: south bend on Jul 29, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Too bad the fire fighters had to respond to a B S call for cut hands. Why do people call an ambo for silly injurys, oh that's right they have medicaid and dont have to pay for the ambo ride like normal people that actually pay for their health insurance. Too bad the complex wasn't on fire so they could have let it burn to the ground. South Bend is going downhill FAST!
Posted by: anon Location: here on Jul 28, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Can someone explain to me exactly what the people were doing outside? Were they fighting with each other? About the injured woman? Or just directly harrassing the EMS?
Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 28, 2008 at 11:26 AM
None taken, but think about it: it is 2008, and the 21st century started in 2000, correct? So to put up signs and broadcast to intelligent people that South Bend is 8 years behind the times says a lot about the city administration, and the city itself. That slogan should have been used in the '90's, for cripes sake, and bagged in 2000. Luecke and his goons are all simpletons.
Posted by: Mike Location: Bristol on Jul 28, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Secure all Fire and EMS response services to those areas of the city deemed too hostile. Perhaps then they will begin to police themselves instead of depending upon local government to do it for them. It's time for people who live in those areas to step up and change things for the better or live with the fruits of inaction.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 25, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Willie from Niles....I really mean no disrespect here but where are you? While I agree that the "slogan" is lame, you do know it is the 21st century, right? And as for the sign, the county limits kinda zigzag around.
Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 25, 2008 at 03:13 PM
My bad; I thought it was Laurelwood Apts. Chapin and Western, huh? Now I understand. But regarding Laurelwood: if that's within city limits, why is the stupid "Building a 21st Century City" (stupidest slogan ever - it's 2008, for cripes sake) sign on 933 all the way down past Holy Cross?
Posted by: BPositive on Jul 25, 2008 at 05:23 AM
I like the Mayor. He seems like a nice man. He may not run the city very well but he's a nice person. If you guys don't like it register to vote or better yet run for office if you can do better. Then we can all call you names and pick you apart in every newstory on WNDU. Why don't you make an appointment and take your group in for a sit down chat with the Mayor? Tell him what you think needs to be done and how it can be achieved.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: Mishawaka on Jul 24, 2008 at 11:43 PM
I appreciate everything our police/fire/ems professionals do. They perform a very thankless job everyday while we sleep in peace.Not taking anything away from the fire/ems but the police deal with these situations everyday multiple times. When we need help we call our public safety. When the fire/ems are in trouble they call the police! We've seen way to often how these modern day gladiators get shot and killed in St. Joseph County. We owe all public safety officers a sincere thank you for putting it on the line for us. This is a good reminder of how these heroes march in when everyone else is running away. Very dangerous and we don't know the half of what these officers see daily.
Posted by: LH Location: SB on Jul 24, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Lueke won't do anything. These people vote Democrat.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Maybe we should have an open season on idiots?
Posted by: stella on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:04 PM
I say No ambulance in this area until police arrive and secure the area. That way the EMS/Fire staff will be safe. If it is your family in the apartments dying from a heart attack- the ambulance will have to just wait for the area to be secured by the police department first. TOO BAD SO SAD Oh by the way, I have a college degree and a gun.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Seems I sure touched a nerve, didn't I when I made the comment about my 2nd Amendment rights? The joke is on you! This just goes to show how just one person can provoke thought (if you had a brain that is..) I'm sure you would be a person that would GIVE UP all your rights just to have your "government" take care of you, right? Well I won't. Now excuse me while I climb back up my tree, scratch myself, and eat my bananas.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:25 AM
go back to niles harry
Posted by: John Location: South Bend on Jul 24, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Harry from Niles. maybe you should learn how to read a map. your thinking of laurelwood apts. on auten rd. which is in the south bend city limits. this happened off of western ave.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Anon at 4:03...you are still an idiot! Another loser screaming about "My right" when on any other issue of rights you could care less and you know it! You don't care about rights! You are into guns because you are scared. You live with a fear that most like me do not. I have lived in this town for many many years and have never needed a gun. No one in my family has ever needed a gun. None of my friends have ever needed a gun. In fact, I have never even HEARD of anyone using a gun to protect themselves around here, except once every few years! You have much greater odds of hurting yourself or some other innocent person, because you my friend are an idiot. "Rights" HA! I almost spit my coffee out laughing. What a baboon.
Posted by: Islander Location: South Bend on Jul 24, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Harry. I think it was initially reported as Laurelwood apartments which is off of Auten Rd. Believe it or not, the little pocket is considered the City limits. However, this incident took place on Laurel Ct., which this complex is located next to Alonzo Watson Park on the Southwest corner of Chapin St. & Western Ave.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Good point Harry! Here's the problem, with sooo many thugs, welfare recipients and freeloaders loving Luecke and out voting the lazy taxpayers, he gets voted in to get rich and rape the middle class taxpayers then help's of the freeloaders freeload! It's a vicious cycle!
Posted by: Harry Location: Niles on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Willie from Niles stated that this took place outside of the City of South Bend. What was South Bend FireFighters doing outside of the City Limits of South Bend? Also it won't do You any good to pick on Luecke because these are the people that elected him Mayor. Luecke can't afford to loose their vote, He can't fford to offend these people if He wants to get elected again!!!
Posted by: Tom Paine on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Chas said: "The problem with that Joe is that there are too many prisoners and we don't want to pay for prisons. Perhaps if we didn't have over 1/2 of our beds in prisons full with people in for drug posession we'd have more room for violent criminals and be abel to keep them in longer." -- Worth repeating. You have to send that in a letter to your reps. I mean, if it's really that important.
Posted by: Margaret Location: South Bend on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:53 PM
This is what happens when people are given EVERYTHING for nothing.
Posted by: Josh Location: South Bend on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Hey Mr. Anonymous who claims anyone who is not college educated is a "loser". What exactly did that have to do with this article? Might want to go back to college and study COMPREHENSION. That way you'll be more on topic, and look less like an unarticulate fool.
Posted by: bob Location: mishawaka on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Hmm 1:30 in the morning and theres 20 people outside o wait none of them work thats right. I go to work everyday so i can pay for them to live for free. I guess thats what the world is turning to but you know more fireman or police need to get killed b4 we do something if they even do somethign then. South Bend is a disgrace to this state just a bunch of low life non working citizens (if you wanna call them that) keep safe south bend fire/police/ems
Posted by: LCB on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Cut the housing authority instead of the cops. Time for the mayor to go.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:02 PM
To: amazed Location: mishawaka on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:40 PM Yep there are parts of south bend that could be the rectal cavity. Better stay in Mishatucky because there are to many rhoids already here in south bend.
Posted by: SB Resident Location: SB on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:20 PM
This city is going to hell. Is nothing sacred? You’re going to harass EMTs trying to save someone’s life? Just wait until that’s your little brother lying there in the street with a bullet in his gut and no one will respond because y’all have scared them off. Who’s going to save his life? No body. He can die in the street like a dog because it’s going to get to the point where no decent person is going to be willing to risk his life to come into your hood. Bunch of morons.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Hey Anon. I AM college educated. I am NOT an idiot, thank you very much! I guess YOU must be one of those LOSERS that live in Laurelwood, eh?? Oh, and you need lessons on spelling. It's "guarantee"...not what ever the hell you tried to spell! LOL. Too funny. I will STILL travel where ever I want to go and I WILL be armed. It is my 2nd Amendment Right and I WILL use it! Now what do you have to say to that Mr Smarty Pants??
Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:36 PM
C'mon, quit picking on poor Mayor Luecke; this incident took place outside the city limits. Crime is down in South Bend, and all is well. Think I'll jaunt off to Germany...
Posted by: Alan Location: Elkhart on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Ghetto is as ghetto does. Look a bit farther and you will see just how many of these people living in the SBHA are from Chicago. We got the same problem in Elkhart. Look even farther and you will see how many of them are double dipping in Indiana and Illinois. You have to sell those food stamps to keep that cell phone on and the pipe filled. Growing up lazy, stupid, and on the welfare roll is no way to go threw life son. (Sarcasm).
Posted by: Joe Schmoe Location: South Bend on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:54 PM
To help with the budget constraints of the South Bend, how about having the residents of the Housing Authority take care of the parks, pools, streets and everything else the City officials have threatened to close because they cannot afford to maintain them. I see this an untapped resource for the City. The new theme for South Bend could be “OFF YOUR BUTTS IF YOU ARE ON THE DOLE”. May be it would help teach them respect for their fellow citizens and themselves.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:04 PM
All of the people commenting on this are complete idiots. How many of you have a college education? I gurantee that it is less than 5%. Pathetic losers.
Posted by: Josh Location: South Bend on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Way to go South Bend, keep pandering for that poverty vote by forcing the rest of us to provide housing for them. I just want to take this moment and express how much pride I have in the city of south bend, where the streets are clean, the government is not corrupt and the local media is unbiased, the local town folk are unhostile and even want to assist with helping EMS personal. Ohh wait, sorry got a little sarcastic there. Guess thos budget cuts of police and fire personal is warrented now. Too bad we couldn't cut out most of the jobs in the county city building that we really could get something done. South Bend is turning into one disaster afer another, think we should give the Mayor a big round of applause. Thank you Mayer Luecke I feel so much better about the place I call home now.
Posted by: amazed Location: mishawaka on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:40 AM
this is to concerned who wrote in at 9:25am if mishawaka is the armpit capital of Indiana, then south bend is the rectal hole capital of Indiana. Look at how the residents of south bend act, like morons, they do not have a clue.
Posted by: Joyce Location: Harbor Harbor on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:09 AM
If these people were made to work for thier housing they would be in bed at night not looking for trouble around every corner.I have always had to wake up early and go to a job and turn around and watch my children,these things are not happening in this area.I will bet you alot of kids were out there.Very poor parenting in the "free living district"
Posted by: John Q. Citizen Location: South Bend,In on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Comunication people we need better communication with one another. Think - if it was you needing that ambo. how safe would you have felt in that siyuation?
Posted by: Joe Location: South Bend on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:59 AM
To Chaz.... Who said anything about putting them in prison.... I meant....eliminate.. get rid of... purge from society....or how ever you want to say it. But "WE THE PEOPLE" need to take back control.......ENOUGH.... IS .....ENOUGH !!!!!
Posted by: JOE Location: SOUTH BEND on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:35 AM
TO Anonymous.... I disagree... we should not have to worry about things like this period. We all work, pay taxes and therefore it belongs to us... "WE THE PEOPLE" I will not give in to these people, as no one else should... We should not be intimidated or be expected to look the other way. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!!!!
Posted by: Chaz Location: South Bend on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:32 AM
The problem with that Joe is that there are too many prisoners and we don't want to pay for prisons. Perhaps if we didn't have over 1/2 of our beds in prisons full with people in for drug posession we'd have more room for violent criminals and be abel to keep them in longer.
Posted by: Steve-O on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:30 AM
We need Charles Bronson for mayor!!! He took care of New York by himself.
Posted by: concerned on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:25 AM
I agree, Shut down South Bend Housing Authority. This is yet another example of "these" types of people. Are we using the 10 point IQ difference as an excuse or just plain old criminals saying I don't have a Daddy and my Momma's on crack. Shut the place down and chase these people out of South Bend. Send them to Mishawaka, armpit capital of Indiana.
Posted by: joe Location: south bend on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Maybe its time "WE THE PEOPLE" start to take back control of these kind of people. we cant count on our legal system or law makers anymore. We have good laws, better than any other country but they never get enforced. Maybe if laws were again enforced harshley as they were back in the 50s and 60s these people would staighten up and the US would again be a better place to live than any other country... ENOUGH ... IS ... ENOUGH.!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:26 AM
If the EMS knows there are areas of potential trouble like Lauralwood, they should NOT be allowed to respond to those areas. It is only common sense if I know I am running into absolute danger, I should NOT be required to go there. If you live there, its your OWN FAULT and should know better to not live in that area. If these people don't like the police and EMS, let THEM take care of whatever happens in these troubled areas!! I know this sounds insensitive, but you have to ask yourself, would YOU want to risk your life in an area like this? I certainly wouldn't. The other solution would be to mandate an order that REQUIRED ALL EMS to be trained and carry a loaded weapon. At least they would have SOME sense of protect if this was to ever happen again (and you KNOW it will!). Welcome to Gary East people. Bad times means tons of trouble and with the temps getting hotter, more trouble will ensue. That is another fact! As for me, I DO carry my CCW everywhere I go. I am safe.
Posted by: Kelly Location: Mishawaka on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:18 AM
This absolutely makes me ill. I agree with one of the earlier posts in which these "heathens" that were creating havoc for the EMS personnel would definately be the ones to complain first! Thank you to our EMS/EMT Fireman & Police, they never get the respect & the kudos that they deserve, I am also thankful they didn't get hurt.
Posted by: Chaz Location: South Bend on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:18 AM
Well I've voted for Leucke twice. But I'm pretty unhappy with Leucke for a variety of reasons and wish he would deal with these problems in a more head on manner. That said, had I been draftable for Vietnam, my rear end would have been in Canada too. At least he's alive so you can call him a coward.
Posted by: Marcy Location: Michigan on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:26 AM
I used to live in the Detroit suburbs and now live in Michiana and it sounds like to me that South Bend is turning into Detroit! Nice job now we have two black holes!
Posted by: Margaret Location: South Bend on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:31 AM
This is absolutely shocking that this would happen. If the folks in the HOOD don't watch it, soon it will become like Cabrini Green in Chicago. NO cabs, NO buses, NO ambulances etc will go there because of the danger. If you don't want to be stereptyped then don't do stereotypical things!!!!!!
Posted by: victor Location: Mishawaka on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:33 AM
South Bend should have a curfew after 1000 p.m. as in Mishawaka.No pedestrians after,say 11 p.m.Another solution is to declare Section 8 housing as insurgent enclaves to which martial law should be applied judiciously.Any problems and put the suspects on ball and chain gangs to work off their anger.That is how they do it in the Old South.
Posted by: Chicago resident Location: chicago on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:29 AM
What there are now two Garys in Indiana? Drove through there a couple of times to a ND game, and sorry to say but I'll never go back. Never seen such wastes of humanity walking through or hanging out. Just put all the garbage in one area and let them kill each other, that way I wont have to pay for their welfare. On a positive note though, my son got to witness his first drug deal going on right in broad daylight. Classy place!!
Posted by: victor Location: Mishawaka on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Apparently we have Guerilla warfare being waged on the Fire Department and the Paramedics.This is classic Guerilla warfare being waged by the BMF or Loco Vatos or even crips or bloods.Start a fire then wait for response and then ambush. It will be necessary to have security team to arrive with the Paramedics and Fire Dept. in the near future. There is no other option. Paramedics and EMS need weapons training and bulletproof vests as their standard equipment. Too many ghetto rats causing problems and not being productive or working.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Section 8 housing, welfare, abuse of the system and bad parenting are more part of the problem here than anyone realizes!And it's RAMPANT in South Bend! I work for the city (*wink) and I see it everyday on the streets! This Mayor has no creativity, no guts (went to Canada for Vietnam), and should absolutely, be IMPEACHED for what this once great city has become under his (and the Democrats) watch! Ask yourself ONE question, if you were his boss, would you NOT fire him? Enough said!
Posted by: Annon. Location: South Bend on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:42 PM
This would not have happened when Mr. Alonzo Watson was the director of the South Bend Housing Authority. He would have gotten to the bottom of which residents were responsible for the nonsene and they would have been given a 48 hour eviction. He had rules and those rules were enforcesd by a group of pro-active housing managers and police officers who worked there part time. Currently the administration of the Housing Authority is not the efficent and well run one it was when Mr. Watson was alive.
Posted by: Anon Location: Fed Up In S. Bend on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:42 PM
The mentality and "lifestyle" of people I see in many around this city on a daily basis is sickening. They have no respect for others let alone themselves. They hide behind guns because they are cowards. I feel the way these EMS/Fire personnel when I walk outside my door at times and intimidation for no reason, let alone for those who may one day have to save YOU is disgraceful. I hope someone in office has a plan to start controlling, containing and eliminating the current, brazen forms of violence we're seeing daily anymore. Thank you EMS/Fire workers... you are heros! Stay safe.
Posted by: sb tax