EVERETT, Wash. — Though the ability to send text messages to 911 dispatchers has been available in Snohomish County for nearly a month, the majority of the texts sent so far have not been for emergencies.
Quick Facts:
- 911 texts meant to be used when it's unsafe to call
- Text messages for emergencies only
- 81 percent of texts received in 3 months were non-emergency issues
- 1 text to 911 was prank
One text was even sent as a prank.
But the message in Snohomish County has been clear. People with an emergency should call 911 if they are able to, but if it’s not safe to do so, they can text instead.
In the three weeks 911 texting has been available, the Everett Herald found 81 percent of the 911 emergency texts have not been for emergencies.
So far, the dispatch center has received 36 text messages. Four were valid and came from deaf people and domestic violence victims who used the service as intended.
The non-emergency texts were from people reporting speeders and neighborhood noise. The service is intended for emergency use only when a person is unable to call.
The Herald found that someone even texted they were being robbed as a prank. Police were still sent out to make sure everything was OK.
Texts to 911 are not anonymous and need to include a location and be shorter than 140 characters. The service is not available when a phone is roaming.
Eight more counties in the state are either testing the text service or considering it.
KIRO
