Reach Concord 911 Dispatchers By Text

CONCORD, CA — Police dispatchers in Concord will be able to receive 911 text messages from cellphone users who may not be able to speak out loud due to medical distress or safety concerns next week.

The Text-to-911 service will take effect Monday, Sept. 16, and is especially intended for people who are voice or hearing impaired or those who have been rendered unable to speak due to the circumstances of a medical problem.

It could also help crime victims in abductions, home invasions or domestic assaults who could face increased risk if the suspect hears their conversation with dispatch.

Anyone in Concord texting 911 is encouraged to provide an exact location, keep the message brief and concise and avoid emojis or photography.

It may also be smart to put the cellphone on silent, to avoid alerting nearby suspects with a ringtone.

Keep in mind that traditional voice calls are the fastest way to reach emergency dispatchers, and not all East Bay jurisdictions offer Text-to-911 service.

— Bay City News Service