Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/254119
32 Law Enforcement Technology February 2014 www.officer.com COMMUNICATIONS T he other day I found myself reading another conglomeration of crazy text messages the sender didn't mean to send and the receiver certainly didn't want to receive. It's not a secret that the proliferation of cell phones has changed the way we communicate with each other. Many people do not even own a landline in their homes anymore, and I found myself shocked recently when one of my co- workers told me she had to pay for her texts. I'm so ingrained in a world where unlimited text messages come as standard as the dial tone, and I'm not even part of this new generation that cut their teeth on technology we couldn't even dream of 25 years ago. With current discussions debating how texting has changed the way people interact with each other and all the negatives that come with the positives of instantaneous, quick communication, the public safety telecommunications world sits poised to take on NG911. Many public safety answering points already accept text to 911 and few have had any major issues with it. Policy seems to be written around public education campaigns informing com- munity members when the appropriate time is to use text to 911, and when a call is a better choice. Non-traditional PSAPs such as those serving higher education jurisdictions believe text to 911 is the next logical step in allowing public safety to keep up with the way people communicate. Liz Phillips, Assistant Director at Kansas University Public Safety Office, explains that their juris- diction doesn't know how to use the phone, and because of this public safety needs to stay in front of their constituency when it comes to technology. With so much being discussed about what hardware, software and training needs to be done, it occurred to Auto correct embarrassments. SHOUTY CAPITALS. Cyber-jargon. All issues public safety telecommunications operators will face in the coming months as NG911 rolls out in more and more places. By MichellePerin Troubles with text to 911 LET_32-34_TextTroubles0214.indd 32 1/24/14 12:30 PM