Suffolk Police Reveal New 'Text 911' Service

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - Suffolk County Police recently implemented a new program that now allows residents to send a text to 911.

Last week, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart announced the lauch of the initiative, which allows residents to send a text message to 911 from a mobile device in emergency situations where it is unsafe or not possible to make a phone call.

The Suffolk County Police Department is the first in the region to implement this service.

Officials say this program can be used in siutations such as an active shooter or domestic violence calls. In addition, the tool will be helpful for those with hearing and/or speech impairments.

If residents choose to text 911, they should provide an exact address or location, explain the emergency situation and be prepared to answer questions that the operator may text back.

In addition, the texts should be brief, written out in plain language and not include and emojis, photos, symbols or abbreviations.

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