Texting to 911?
So I've been hearing recently that the 911 system is going to be upgraded to allow text messages to be received by the call-takers. Possibly streaming video from cellphones, too...
This seems like a great idea to me.
However, I've also been reading how the impetus for these changes is because at a number of major crimes in the recent past, including the Virginia Tech shootings, apparently "many" people were sending text messages to 911 and they're all manner of upset that no one ever texted them back or acted on their messages. Apparently there are lawsuits over this in a couple of instances.
Now, isn't it common knowledge that you cannot send a text message to a landline number and expect it to be received? Ever?
So, my question is, how, exactly, did these individuals get the idea that you could send a text to 911? *I* certainly never thought you could... it never even occurred to me until I started reading about it. Has anyone ever been told that 911 operators can receive text messages?
Hell, I remember when 911 was first being rolled out, and we were taught about it in school and given little stickers to put on the back of the handset of our phones at home. Do people still learn about 911 at school? Are any of them taught that you can send text messages to it?
I just don't get how anyone got the notion that you could.
Interesting factoid, and yet another of the many reasons why I hold the unwashed masses in such low regard... they used to tell you to dial "nine-eleven" if you needed help. However, too many people couldn't find the "eleven" button on their phones, so they had to stop saying that. *sigh*
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