I'm not so sure we're getting the whole story here. Some of the people who "retreated" may have retreated to call 911 and it just took 60-90 minutes for authorities to show up to help.
Furthermore, I don't know where you live, but where I live, if I call 911, I would be able to watch Gone With the Wind twice before anyone would show up. That's just how it is sometimes. Many people move very slow; they're not necessarily uncaring.
Are you saying you would call 911 and then sit down to watch reruns of cheers while screams of pain and pleading for help are coming from outside your window?
How hard would it be to call 911 and then step outside?