I have read varying newspaper accounts of the tragedy that unfolded June 12, 2009 in Moreno Valley. They state that the timeline between calls to 911 for help and the arrival of police officers on the scene was mere minutes.

I was there and I have to correct that, the timeline is absolutely incorrect. There MUCH more time between our call to 911 and the tragic end to this event. I'm am so upset by the entire thing as I feel it was preventable. The young lady reacted when she heard the sirens. She got down and moved away as though she was leaving. Not once but twice. It was the third time that she was much more frantic and decided to complete what she had set out to do. But where were the police? We heard the sirens as though they were coming. But they didn't show up. For goodness sake, Moreno Valley is not a big town. We made it from the mall to the overpass in approximately 5 minutes yesterday driving 30 mph and hitting every red light. The cops have the luxury of sirens, running lights and going in speeds well in excess of 30 mph. Why didn't they show up? On any given Friday afternoon/evening there are motorcycle police pulling people over left and right at that intersection. You can't tell me that they couldn't find officers to respond.

I am appalled. To serve and protect...isn't that the motto of the police? You were doing neither Friday night. And I know that there will be those who say its due to budget cuts etc. but my argument is simple. The cops were on duty Friday night. They showed up right after the tragedy unfolded. Obviously budget cuts hadn't affected them. It was failure to respond. As a crowd we watched and waited for the police. We heard them coming but you never showed up!

I'm angry at you for not showing up because my actions or inactions were predicated on the lie of those sirens. I would have done something if I knew you weren't coming. I would have reacted somehow. We could have each raised our voices and told this poor suffering woman that we cared and that we loved her. We didn't have to know her. One human to another, maybe we could have made a difference. But I didn't. Neither did anyone else. We waited because we thought you were coming as we were told by the wail of sirens we could hear. Why weren't you there? Can you answer me that? I would have driven my car up the onramp and helped that poor lady struggling to save her. Together we might have been able to restrain her. I know others would have acted too.

I cannot close my eyes without seeing that sight. I stayed and watched because I had to know she was safe. I trusted that she would be saved by the heroes in uniform. I guess that doesn't happen in this town. I didn't want to watch to see something gruesome - I HAD to know that she was rescued. Instead I will live with that moment the rest of my life. Unfortunately so will my young son. And so will her daughter.

Will you be there next time we need you? What will be the excuse next time? Will you manipulate the facts to try and reflect a two minute window between calls and the final outcome? The story in the media is a lie. I know. We called. I was there.

My heart goes out to the poor family who suffers now and to young girl left without a mother. And Sade Angel Hargress - I am sorry that so many failed to save you especially those who promise to serve and protect.

Debby.

To add your own comments please email us at: info@mvbusinessguide