Coming in 2017: Texting 911

Starting by the end of the year citizens seeking emergency assistance from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Police Department or the Grove City Police Department will be able to text their requests to 911.

The system is designed so that people who are hiding from a burglar can call for help silently, and so that deaf people can send explicit requests for help.

According to a release by the Franklin County Regional 911 coordinator, dispatchers will be able to text back-and-forth with people who are requesting help.

Three counties in Ohio already have the system, where about one or two texts a day are received by dispatchers.

The upgrade is expected to cost $530,000, which will be paid for by a 25-cent charge on residents’ phone bills.

 

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