The South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority recently added a 911 texting feature for Los Angeles County mobile users in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Gardena, Hawthorne, El Segundo and Culver City. The Beach Reporter noted that the 911 texting services offer a valuable option to residents in areas with spotty cell service.
According to resident Ray Joseph, “Cell towers are important. Cell coverage means safety…The firemen were shaking their heads saying it’s a real bad problem. The police say sometimes they need to make cell calls and don’t get any service.”
Here’s how the system works: enter the numbers “911” into the “To” box. In the “Message” box, type a brief message in English with the nature and the location of the emergency and be prepared to answer questions, conveyed The Beach Reporter.
“This technology can save lives and meets the needs of a growing population that relies on text messaging as a key form of communication,” said Mark Ghilarducci, director of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, based on a press release. Although texting 911 is now an option, officials say call first. The motto is “Call if you can—text if you can’t.”
December 15, 2017
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