Readers and viewers respond to I-Team investigation on Falls hospital security

The 7 Eyewitness News I-Team has received a number of responses to I-Team reporter Ed Drantch's investigation into security concerns at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

In March, a worker was mugged in a robbery that started in the parking garage. And in April, a patient caused $10,000 in damage inside the hospital. 

 "I don't think I"ll ever get over it," said the worker who did not want to be identified. "Every night I wake up in the middle of the night.  It's just an awful feeling. Could've been worse. I guess he could've killed me but... I don't know. But I do know I don't feel safe."

Two years to the day before that worker was mugged, a petition with nearly 30 signatures, was submitted to hospital administration.  The I-Team has the petition, where workers demanded action to secure the hospital's entrances and monitor visitors.  Some staffers say little, if anything has been done.

Here are some of the responses to our I-Team investigation:

• @brucemills911: "Wow, just watched Pt. 1 of your piece on NF Memorial Hospital. I worked at ECMC for 30 yrs and was always aware that visitors can cause safety concerns but the administration always addressed the issue and while there is always a risk, ECMC did a great job of protecting staff. The administrators you spoke with seemed like idiots! Great job Ed...."

• "Thanks for bringing light to there being no security at NFMMC. I've parked in that ramp to get to one of my Doctors offices & there is no security at all!"

• "Hello, I am writing in regards to the Niagara Falls Memorial security story that is going to air tonight. I watched the video and read the article and quite frankly this is not a shocking thing. I worked for NFMMC for 9 years full time and remain per diem. I think that Pat Bradley and Pat Corsaro gave the answers that they gave regarding safety is actually disgusting. It is well know that anyone can walk through those doors at any time day or night." 

• M.J.: "This is scary. My co workers & I often worry about this issue. Especially working midnights. We feel like we have no one looking out for our safety. So not only do we need to take care of all our patients on the entire floor (unit) we also have to watch out for our own protection from anyone from the outside because it is so easy to enter the building with minimal security."  

The 7 Eyewitness News I-Team reached out to Pat Bradley, director of communication and emergency management for the hospital for a response to our investigation. The I-Team has not heard back from him.