Children's Gas

Thanks to Marcy, who wrote the following on the CAPS 2411 Yahoo! chat site. Was People's Gas acting irresponsibly? Fri, 27 Jul 2007, 16:34 This relates to at least two 911 calls, though I believe there were more made. I was told this was not an emergency - even though the venting gas could pose problems for those in the area. I dropped my son at Chippewa Park this a.m. for camp. The field stank of gas and [a park employee] said her kitchen area smelled also. She called 911. I then walked over to Park Plaza and that area also smelled of gas. So I called 911. Two fire trucks came and perhaps went to Chippewa (I was still at Park Plaza); they were parked on Pratt and Sacramento. They left relatively quickly. I contacted the supervisor at the fire department who told me the gas company was venting gas so they could work on some of the lines. They were doing this between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Approximately 100 children are signed up for camp at Chippewa and I don’t think People's Gas showed any concern for the neighbors here. Luckily the children were going on a field trip and left relatively soon. I was told by the fire department that there was little concern in the event that someone lit a cigarette outside. I was also told that if anyone felt sick, nauseous or faint they would send help. Well I have an issue with the possibility that 100 children and staff could have been out there for the day and People's Gas chose a pathetic time to do their venting, especially on a humid day where the air wasn't clearing quickly. If they are working in the area they would see campers out there daily between 10 and 3. Normally without high humidity the air "should" clear more quickly. I also called the gas company and registered a complaint. I asked if they normally notify people in the area of this type of venting and they said they normally do if it is not an emergency. I asked if this venting today was an emergency and they said it was not listed that way. I also called Bernie Stone's office and spoke to Alex, who said he would call the gas company and ask them "to be more proactive." The venting took place between Touhy and Kedzie and Sacramento and McCormick. If this caused concern for anyone else in the area I suggest contacting People's Gas and registering a complaint.