Dial 911 ... and die

What Hacker News says

1. nullfieldJun 2026
   I’m late in responding, but yeah… No particular duty on the part of the police, including in the middle of someone killing you, and all (see the book “Dial 911 and Die”).
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2. justnowNov 2014
   "In every state of the United States, and in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Canada, when you call the police, dial 911, and rely on the police to protect you, you are taking a big risk. Under the laws of most of these jurisdictions, the police do not have to respond. They do not have to protect you"

   Also: "Carrying out the duties of a police or fire department are frequently classified as 'governmental' or 'discretionary'. Under the statutes and case decisions in most states, citizens cannot sue the government for negligently performing (or failing to perform) a 'governmental' or 'discretionary' function."

   Plus: "The general rule is that governmental entities owe a duty to provide police protection to the public, but not to protect any particular individual"

   source: Dial 911 and Die, by Richard W. Stevens

   P.S. I apologize I provide a single source, but I personally haven't read too much on this topic, other than the book cited.

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