Emergency News
August 11th, 2017
A live television local news broadcast in New Haven:
Graphics of a 3-dimensional red number 8 spin across the screen, and then the words "BREAKING NEWS" appear, followed shortly thereafter with an overhead view of a dark city street with dozens of people rioting.
The words "Power Outages Causing Riot Outbreaks Downtown" at the bottom of the screen appear as a male reporter begins to speak.
"This is Kent Pierce with News 8 WTNH coming to you live as riots are breaking out all over the Downtown streets here in New Haven. It appears there have been some power outages affecting most of the central neighborhoods of the city, including Newhallville, Beaver Hills, Edgewood, and Dwight. It is uncertain at this time...wait, hold on folks..."
The camera continues to pan from above across the unlit streets as people are throwing bricks through shop windows and pushing cars over. It's clear this reporting is coming from a helicopter above the city.
"Okay folks, I've just received word that the blackouts are affecting almost the entire west side of the city at this time. Mayor Toni Harp has officially declared a state of emergency and we go live to her public statement."
The screen cuts to Mayor Toni Harp speaking at a press conference. Words at the bottom of the screen switch to "Mayor Declares State of Emergency" as she begins to speak.
"Citizens of New Haven, I have received word that the construction crew the city recently hired to repair the Upton Rowlands Memorial Bridge...I'm sorry, my notes, um..."
The mayor shuffles through some papers on the podium. "My apologies, I meant the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge. The crew repairing the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge has accidentally severed a major power cable that is causing city-wide blackouts.
We have people currently working around the clock to repair the cable and I am assured power will be restored as soon as humanly possible. In the meantime, many of our residents are without electricity and so I am declaring a state of emergency for the city of New Haven at this time until he is avenged. Wait...what?..."
She continues to shuffle through her notes, looking confused. Reporters immediately stand up and start asking questions, but Mayor Harp appears disoriented as she stares at the papers in front of her.
The screen cuts back to the rioters on the street. Reporter Kent Pierce resumes speaking from within the helicopter. "So there you have it folks! Looks like this whole mess is because a handful of people tried to fix something they probably should have just left alone. I sure hope they are held accountable for what they did! Man, I'd hate to be that crew right now. Maybe they should have just stayed in whatever city they came from and left us alone?"
It now cuts abruptly to the inside of a news station with a male and female anchor behind a desk. Their practiced smiles betray a crack of annoyance as the male anchor begins speaking.
"Well alright, we're back here in the studio, coming to you live with News 8 WTNH. I'm Darren Kramer--"
The female anchor speaks. "And I'm Annie Craig--"
Darren Kramer again. "And we have Police Chief Anthony Campbell ready to make a statement to WTNH's reporter Renee Chmiel. Renee?"
Cuts to a woman standing with Police Chief Campbell on the dark unlit street in front of City Hall, which looks to have power inside. The bright light from the camera shines directly onto the Police Chief as the woman raises a microphone to her mouth.
"Thank you Darren! I'm here live with Chief Campbell of the NHPD. Chief Campbell, what can you tell us about this blackout and these riots?"
The Chief looks quite uncomfortable under the bright light. There is sweat dripping down his forehead and he begins speaking with a slight slur in his voice. "Well...I think the most important thing ish to remain calm. We're going to be enforshing a curfew...so go inside your homes and stay there until the power comes back on."
Reporter Renee doesn't miss a beat with her next question. "And how long do you expect this curfew to last? What will be done to disperse the rioting?"
Chief Campbell actually shrugs and squints his eyes a little with confusion. "Uh, a few days I guess? Until this black hand is gone. I mean...black out is gone. Blackout. What did I say?"
The words at the bottom of the screen change to "Police Chief Expected to Enforce Curfew"
The reporter with another question. "Are you saying that people must stay inside their homes without power for a few days straight? What about the perishable food in their refrigerators? A curfew is only supposed to be enforced at night I thought?"
He nods slowly and wobbles a little on his feet. "Yeah...at night. Just head inside when the sun goes down. You don't...you don't want to be outside after sun down, trust me..."
The reporter looks back at the camera. "So there you have it! Expect curfews to be enforced at dusk by NHPD until power is restored. Back to you, Darren."
Cuts back to the studio. Darren Kramer speaks first again. "Thank you, Renee! This has been News 8 WTNH bringing you the breaking news with me, Darren Kramer--"
The female anchor speaks briefly. "And me, Annie Craig--"
Darren again. "So stay tuned for more 24/7 live news updates as the situation progresses, after this commercial break!"
The red 8 graphics spin again on the screen with the WTNH logo appearing as it cuts to commercials.
