Texting 911 Now Possible in Florida County

MARION COUNTY, Fla. --

In Marion County there's now an alternative to 911. Deputies were worried that crime victims wouldn't always be able to call in an emergency. So now, they're making it possible to text for help.

In 2009, the Marion County Sheriff's office received 127,926 911 calls, but officials believe they need to provide another option to those who need help. The way the sheriff's office sees it, there's a whole new generation of people who would rather not make phone calls; they prefer to text.

"We realized from recent research that people are texting more," said Judge Cochran, Marion County Sheriff's Office.

They've created an emergency text number: (352) 351-9111. It works just like the phone system. An emergency operator is on the other end. Officials believe there may be serious situations where texting may be the only way to alert a deputy.

"Let's say it's a 14-year-old girl at home alone, watching TV, and she hears the door being kicked in and she runs upstairs," Cochran said.

Cochran says, in a case like that, the victim might be too afraid to make noise by making a phone call. Texting is then the answer and the system will even work outside the county.

"If you have that number in your phone, (352) 351-9111, and you happen to be in Miami and you text that number, we'll get it," he said.

The sheriff's office has gotten permission to put up posters in the county schools hoping students will put the emergency text number in their cell phones.

"Embracing the latest technology, because, quite frankly, you have to embrace technology in order to stay ahead of the bad guys," Cochran said.

The new system will also benefit people who are hearing or speech impaired.

A sheriff's reserve officer designed the software free of charge. It cost $1,000 for the computer equipment.

Posted Monday, May 24, 2010

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