America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 78 Emergency Situation

With the support of force, the streets suddenly became orderly, friendly, and kind. Homeless people started queuing up for food, and no one thought of cutting in line or bullying others.

Sieg stood there like a statue, his eyes sharp as lasers, holding a gun like a god of war. Zhang Ailun felt inferior to him.

The two-hour meal service was coming to an end quickly, but Zhang Ailun did not dare to relax. He took out his phone and compared the photos with the images, observing each of the black men in line. Soon, he found a black man in the back of the line whose mental state was not normal.

Sieg noticed something amiss and came over to ask, "Is it him? That mental patient?"

"It should be him. He looks similar in the photo, except for the clothes. Everything else matches." Zhang Ailun confirmed the photo again.

"What do we do now? Should we call the police?" Sig asked疑惑地, "Isn't he carrying a deadly weapon?"

"Calling the police will take some time, so we're basically neighborhood police officers right now! We'll make our move after the other homeless people have finished getting their meals and left, and the flow of people has decreased. You stay here and keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't leave your sight. I'll go report back." Zhang Ailun devised a plan and immediately turned around to report the matter to Reina and the shelter's director, Cooper.

"Okay." Sieg nodded, continuing to supervise the homeless people queuing for meals without changing his expression.

Zhang Ailun returned to the shelter, where Rena, Supervisor Cooper, and other staff were discussing something. Cooper was angrily accusing someone into his phone. It seemed there was a problem with the cargo shipment?

"What happened?" Zhang Ailun walked over and asked Reina in a low voice.

"How did you get in here? Weren't you supposed to be managing order outside?" Reina asked, somewhat surprised.

"I have some news to report. What's going on? Why have you stopped serving the food?" Zhang Ailun noticed that the staff member responsible for serving the food had also stopped, while the homeless people outside were still waiting.

Reina said with some difficulty, "There's some bad news. A convoy of trucks transporting goods collided with other semi-trailers and private cars on the highway due to slippery road conditions. The accident resulted in 2 deaths and 3 injuries, and there may not be any relief efforts available today."

"The worse news is that we've run out of our stock of mashed potatoes and chicken cutlets, and it seems we don't have enough relief meals," Reina said with some worry.

"This is indeed not good news." Zhang Ailun immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.

There are still many people waiting outside for their meals, and after eating, many are still waiting on the street for warm clothes, pants, and shoes to be distributed. But after queuing for a long time, they find that they have been tricked, and they will definitely be upset.

"Other shelters are facing the same problem. Our supervisor is trying to find a solution. He is trying to contact other community charities urgently to see if a batch of supplies can be urgently transferred."

"More importantly, the mayor also held an emergency press conference and said that he would resolve the electricity and water supply issues as soon as possible. However, the responsibility for this work rests with each department. The mayor also demanded that each shelter provide meals and clothing to the homeless on time and not close without reason. If the shelters cannot be comforted and the security maintained as soon as possible, the supervisors and staff may have to be replaced the next day," Reina said with some helplessness.

"He's a smart man. He just talks a few words in front of the media, and his subordinates have to run themselves ragged," Zhang Ailun scoffed.

The shelter has no supplies to distribute, so the only thing they can do is close it down.

But this means that those above will question him, and the supervisor, Cooper, will definitely be under pressure.

The pressure was put on the staff and security personnel.

What bad luck!

However, this has nothing to do with Zhang Ailun. He's just doing it part-time.

Zhang Ailun suddenly realized that there were advantages to being a temporary worker. At least he didn't have to be subservient to anyone, he could do whatever he wanted, and leave as soon as he was done.

"Hamburg, what are you doing here? What's wrong?" Supervisor Cooper hung up the phone in frustration, watching his employees still chatting amongst themselves. He walked over with a grim expression and asked Zhang Ailun.

"There's been a slight mishap, sir. There's a mentally ill person in the line for a meal," Zhang Ailun replied.

"Then get rid of him! Call the Los Angeles Mental Hospital and have them come here and arrest him. We're facing an even bigger problem now!" Cooper was a little agitated, and he looked visibly haggard.

Zhang Ailun, however, showed no sympathy whatsoever, stating directly, "As far as I know, that mentally ill person is no ordinary individual. He carries a deadly weapon and stabbed two homeless men last night. He's currently wanted by the police. If we can't handle this situation, he'll definitely harm other homeless people, causing a larger-scale riot. So I'd like to consult your thoughts."

Cooper was greatly surprised. "What? A wanted criminal? Why would such a dangerous person come here? Is he here for a meal or does he have some other purpose?"

It could easily lead to someone's death.

"Manager, we don't have any extra food for him," Reina said immediately, seeing her manager's flustered state.

Cooper's expression was serious. "Then notify the officers, Reina, and call 911 immediately!"

Rena did as she was told, took out her phone and dialed 911 at the Southern Precinct to report the incident. After hanging up, she brought Cooper some bad news.

"It might take the officers twenty minutes to arrive. The Southern Police Department is severely understaffed right now, with most of them stationed in the Sixth Block, where there are many mentally ill people, lunatics, and gang members to arrest. They simply don't have time to deal with this small matter. The police also said that if the officers don't arrive in time, our security personnel should handle the problem themselves."

This might be the slowest response time ever for Los Angeles police officers. Officers dispatched from other precincts to the South aren't as motivated, since it's not their jurisdiction, and they're hesitant to operate outside their area, plus the sheriff and chief aren't on their side.

"Is this a small matter? This is a huge deal! Those damned police officers! What kind of time is this for infighting?! We're on the same side! Why won't they come to help? Instead, they're solving problems for ordinary taxpayers?"

Cooper was completely numb and started cursing at the police station.

Zhang Ailun stood by, watching his supervisor's massive breach. "So? What do we do now? Can you give us clear instructions, Mr. Supervisor?"

If anything goes wrong during the process, or if someone is too rough, we temporary workers won't be held responsible; at most, we'll be laid off.

Why would I risk my life to earn just over two hundred dollars a day?

You have to pay more!

Cooper calmed down and thought things through. He suddenly realized that this wasn't actually such a bad situation.

He quickly gave his decision and strategy: "Get ready to take action! Hamburger, go and inform Sieg. The two of you work together and you must stop that mentally ill person before the unrest occurs! Even if we injure or kill him, it doesn't matter! I will apply to stop the public welfare relief activities on the grounds of employee injury, disperse those homeless people, and report this matter to the higher-ups to apply for workers' compensation for you."

Cooper's eyes lit up. "Yes! Let's do it! We're all terrified and can't continue working!! This way we can avoid riots caused by insufficient relief, get the support of the higher-ups, earn workers' compensation, and get paid leave."

"..."

Zhang Ailun and Reina exchanged a glance.

Wow, look at their level of awareness!

They exploit any loopholes. They avoid putting themselves or their superiors in a difficult position, while still securing benefits for their employees.

No wonder they can become leaders!

(End of this chapter)