Too dangerous to talk, text 911.. (Coming soon!)
By Michelle
@infatuatedbby (94909)
United States
July 5, 2016 3:22pm CST
Nowadays active shooters, hostages/robberies are becoming more common and in the event of those situations - you cannot sit and wait for someone to pick up the phone. Instead, you will most likely text someone for help. After consideration of all the mass events that happened, more dispatch centers will be able to receive text messages!
Did you know there are some dispatch centers where you can already text 911, in an event of an emergency? Not many branches right now though - about 650 out of over 6,000 branches nationwide.
I think that is a great idea, to be able to text for help if you cannot call! I hope they will have a fast turnaround time. Of course when you text - you have to include your location as they cannot track you immediately and hopefully no one abuses the system for something false. This will also help with those who are deaf or have a speech disability, too.
What are your thoughts?
Article:
As active-shooter and hostage situations become more common, police departments are exploring technology that would allow dispatchers to receive texts, photos and videos in real time. Supporters of such systems say their use would go beyond active-shooter
14 people like this
16 responses
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
6 Jul 16
It is a bummer our world is like this. I think texting in an emergency like that would be a great idea. I hope they will be more available throughout the world soon.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
6 Jul 16
Not everywhere will be able to text 911, but they are striving for that. I like that idea.
When you text 12110 for help is that to the police department?
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
6 Jul 16
@Sun7788 I see! You guys are more advanced. We cannot text here only some locations. It is very new to us.
1 person likes this
@Sun7788 (260)
• Changzhou, China
6 Jul 16
@infatuatedbby Yeah, of cause we call 110 or text 12110 to the police In China and Taiwan when we are in danger or our properties are infringed.
1 person likes this
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
7 Jul 16
This helpful for those out of minutes. However, I think calling 911 is free of charge. But for those who can't call - because they think it is too dangerous to talk - can text instead.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
7 Jul 16
It can charge if its non emergency - here.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
8 Jul 16
@jobelbojel Yeah you can get in trouble for making non emergency calls!
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
7 Jul 16
@infatuatedbby Oh really, I did not know that there are calls that are non-emergency.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
23 Jul 16
Yes it is. But it'll be useful for emergency situations.
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
6 Jul 16
Except for those with hearing or speech disability, making a voice call to 911 would be much faster than by sending them a text message.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
6 Jul 16
How will they be able to report the problem if they have hearing or speech disability?
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
6 Jul 16
@sunrisefan But sometimes we can't call if we're in a situation where we must be quiet. Text would be faster. Voice you have to wait until someone picks up the phone.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
6 Jul 16
@infatuatedbby As you said, text for the speech and hearing impaired but for normal people, voice call would be much faster :)
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
6 Jul 16
I never knew some dispatch locations do accept text messages. Good to be updated! I am hoping my area gets this in the future!
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
6 Jul 16
Yeah I try to avoid crowds and what not.
1 person likes this
@IvySaysHi (4603)
• United States
6 Jul 16
I remember once thinking about this a few years ago and how it would be much easier to get in touch with the police without letting the threat know
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
6 Jul 16
Same here. I was thinking if I ever got trapped in a closet trying to hide from a robbery or something - I cannot call police. Texting would be a good alternative!
1 person likes this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
8 Jul 16
I think that is wonderful. There are plenty of situations where texting would be much easier.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
8 Jul 16
Yes, though I hope we would never have to be involved in such scenario, but it is a nice thought they are considering texting 911 as an option.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
5 Jul 16
Not that I ever want anything to be in this position anymore, but I'd love the item too!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43596)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Jul 16
It's honestly not something I ever would have thought of.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
9 Jul 16
same but it'd be useful for some situations/scenarios!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
6 Jul 16
That is a good point. Many are disconnecting their land lines here also.
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
7 Jul 16
I guess , when it's too dangerous to talk then text messaging can be done .
@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
6 Jul 16
You're right, people who have speech disabilities would greatly benefit from this. But for other folks... wouldn't it take much longer to type out your location than tell the operator directly?
