[IMAGE CREDIT: iStock / Pashalgnatov]
[Original Publish Date: 02/06/20]
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TAVARES, Florida — Lake County residents have a new way of requesting help, the Lake County Office of Public Safety Support announced Wednesday.
“Lake County has integrated texting into their 911 system,” Office of Public Safety Support Director Greg Holcomb said in a public service announcement.
Victims who may be at risk by talking can use this feature to summon help: Text-to-911 will enable residents in need to request the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and Fire Rescue with the tap of a few buttons, according to a press release. Those who need help are asked to use plain words, as emojis may be blocked or an abbreviation may not be understood correctly.
The Lake County Office of Public Safety Support worked with major cell carriers, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon to ensure all residents could use this feature, regardless of their service provider.
Incoming Text-to-911 messages are answered on the same console as voice calls, and can be transferred to the appropriate first-responder agency, or transferred to Lake’s surrounding counties — Marion, Orange , Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia, the press release states. Polk County will be added in the near future.
“Having this capability with our neighbors is important, as cell towers do not have jurisdictional boundaries and calls for another agency could potentially come to Lake County and require a transfer,” said Holcomb. “Call 911, text if you cannot.”
This feature will also benefit those who are deaf or hearing impaired and those who have speech disabilities.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
