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NINE ONE ONE (911) - GROWING PAINS

NCJ Number
47202
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (MAY 1978) Pages: 56-60
Author(s)
D B MOSKOWITZ
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEMS AND PROMISE OF THE 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
VIRTUALLY EVERY COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAS INSTALLED THE 911 SYSTEM HAS UNEQUIVOCAL PRAISE FOR IT, BUT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE TOTAL U.S. POPULATION STILL HAS NO 911 SYSTEM. LITTLE DATA EXISTS TO SHOW HOW WELL THE SYSTEM WORKS OR HOW IT AFFECTS POLICE, FIRE, OR MEDICAL ALERT SERVICES. A PRINCIPAL VALUE OF THE SYSTEM IS THAT IT SIMPLIFIES FOR CITIZENS THE MENTAL PROCESS OF ACTING IN AN EMERGENCY. A STUDY TO BE COMPLETED BY LEAA IN 1980 IS INTENDED TO PRESENT THE DATA OFFICIALS NEED TO ACT IN AN INFORMED AND TIMELY MANNER ON INSTALLATIONS OF A 911 SYSTEM. ONE OBSTACLE OFTEN FOUND IS LACK OF INTEGRATION OF SERVICES AMONG INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENTS WITH ATTENDANT RESISTANCE TO CHANGE. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE AREAS DO NOT COINCIDE WITH BOUNDARIES, WHICH IS ALSO A MAJOR HURDLE. A SYSTEM CONSIDERED THE MODEL FOR THE FUTURE IS BEING INSTALLED IN ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIF. A MAZE OF DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS WILL BE COVERED, WITH 16 ANSWERING POSTS. THE MOMENT A CALL COMES IN, THE CALLING TELEPHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS WILL BE DISPLAYED ON A SMALL SCREEN AT THE DISPATCHER'S CONSOLE. (RCB)

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