HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Havre Police Department will allow people to text 911 at the beginning of the new year. Administrative Assistant Jane Hedstrom says that this new program will go live on January 1st. She says that, if possible, call 911, but people can send a text if calling isn’t an option.
“Primarily, situations might arise that they don’t have the capability to talk. It could be deaf problems, disabilities of that kind, impairment. Maybe they’re in a situation where a perpetrator might be in the building and they can’t talk.”
Hedstrom says that they want to make their services accessible by everyone, but by calling dispatchers, they can get information and help out more quickly.
“‘Call if you can, Text if you can’t’ is going to be the motto. And the reason is because it’s easier for the dispatchers to get information, location information, maybe get responders there faster. But if you can’t call, text.”
Hedstrom says that when texting 911, people should not use slang, social media jargon, abbreviations, photos, emojis, or video. She stresses that abusing the text to 911 system is a crime.
