Lower Merion Police Reminds Public Of Text-To-911 Service

The Lower Merion Township Police Department wants to remind the public of the county-wide Text-to-911 service available to residents.

The Text-to-911 service is perfect for situations when making noise may endanger the caller, such as a home invasion/robbery, or instances of domestic violence or an abduction. It's also important for individuals who have speech or hearing impairments, or who are having a medical emergency that renders them incapable of speaking.

To use the Text-to-911 service:

• Enter the numbers 911 in the "To" field.
• Know your location - Text your exact location, address and municipality.
• Text what you need – Text what emergency help is needed.
• Push the "Send" button.
• Be clear - Send a short text message without abbreviations or slang.
• Stay calm - Answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.

The county said the service should only be used when a voice call to 911 is not possible and should not be abused or used to file false reports.

While the service supplements and enhances the existing emergency response services, it does have limitations including non-precise location pinning; the requirement of a text message or data plan through either Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile wireless carriers; potentially longer receipt times and possibly undelivered messages, whereas a voice call is an immediate and real time communication; and the possibility of the Text-to-911 message hitting a cellular tower that is outside of Montgomery County, which would send the message to an emergency center in the county the tower is located.

Visit the county's Text-to-911 frequently asked questions website to learn more about the service.

Image via Shutterstock