Trapped student’s death spurring action

While it’s too late for Kyle Plush, the 16-year-old boy’s death after being trapped in a minivan is getting intense attention and bringing change.

Cincinnati’s acting city manager says he’ll present an “action plan” to city council members Monday for improving the emergency center while police are expected to wrap up their internal investigation into the failed response to the teen’s two 911 calls for help April 10 while parked near his school.

The acting city manager, Patrick Duhaney, succeeds a city manager, Harry Black, who resigned April 21 after a councilman dissatisfied with his response to 911 center issues said he would provide the swing vote to fire him as the mayor wanted to do, ending a weekslong political standoff at City Hall. Duhaney said immediately that he would make the emergency center high priority.

“I want to assure the public that we’ll do everything ... to improve the 911 system,” said Mayor John Cranley.

Council last week approved $454,000 for more staffing, upgrading technology and other improvements. The center has been plagued for years with staffing, workplace and operational problems, which have been spotlighted since Plush’s death.

Cincinnati police have been investigating what went wrong, and are expected to release results this week. They recently released three-minute body camera video from a two-officer team driving through the school’s parking lot without getting out of their cruiser.