‘Call if you can, text if you can’t’: Text-to-911 feature now available




TYPE IT IN—Ventura County residents can make use of the Text-to-911 emergency notification service which allows people to text rather than call during an emergency. While anyone can use the service it is especially beneficial to people who have hearing and speech impairments, said Erin Brockus of VCSO.

TYPE IT IN—Ventura County residents can make use of the Text-to-911 emergency notification service which allows people to text rather than call during an emergency. While anyone can use the service it is especially beneficial to people who have hearing and speech impairments, said Erin Brockus of VCSO.

Ventura County residents have a new way to seek help in an emergency. As part of the Textto 911 service, they can send a text and reach the dispatch centers of all county law enforcement and fire agencies.

“It is definitely a huge benefit for our community,” said Erin Brockus, assistant communications manager for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. “We do have some success stories where the Text-to-911 worked better than had the person called us.”

The feature launched two years ago following a California 911 Emergency Communications Branch mandate, Brockus said. Agencies waited until May to announce it in a news release because officials wanted to ensure it was functioning properly across the county.

Brockus said the sheriff’s office has not experienced any issues with the feature but estimates that texts make up less than 5% of reports. She does not expect the number to increase because most people are taught to call 911 in an emergency.

The feature is especially important for those with hearing and speech impairments.

“I think it is a huge benefit— not I think, I know it is a huge benefit for them,” Brockus said.

Text-to-911 is also valuable in situations where it is not possible or not safe for an individual to call.

During a home invasion or mass shooting, for example, a person trying to hide from an assailant could more easily stay out of earshot by sending a text rather than making a phone call. Sending a text to 911 might also be a better option if a person is injured, unable to speak or facing domestic abuse.

“It would be best for somebody to text if they feel like any kind of audible tone coming from them specifically is going to cause them harm or potential danger,” Brockus said.

Dispatchers, Brockus said, still recommend phone calls, as they are able to get real-time information via the phone that allows for faster response times.

“It is very, very important that people know that calling is the absolute best,” she said. “We always say, ‘Call if you can, text if you can’t.’”

Unlike phone calls, text messages may not be received without service and the location may be less accurate. Messages must be in English and cannot be sent as part of a group text.

Text-to-911 does not support photos or videos, but those features may be a possibility in the future. Brockus said, however, that she has concerns about the potential upgrade.

“We do have a lot of agencies that are fearful that it will present images and video streams of some very traumatic events, and we don’t want to put the dispatchers in those situations,” she said.

For now, Brockus wants the public to be aware that the Textto 911 feature is effective.

“Know that we are going to answer your text messages if you text us,” she said.