Full Notification

Text to 911

The San Leandro Police Department has integrated texting into its 911 answering system, allowing community residents and visitors in need of emergency services to reach a police dispatcher via text when calling is not an option.  

The department worked with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks to make text-to-911 available for anyone needing assistance within the City of San Leandro.  Incoming text-to-911 communications are answered from the same console as voice calls monitored and operated by a police dispatcher who has been trained to receive emergency text messages.  When the person texting is determined to be within another jurisdiction, 9-1-1 texts can be transferred to the most appropriate agency, whether EMS, Fire, or Police, as long as that agency accepts texts.

In general, people with police, fire, or medical emergencies should call 9-1-1 but, when they cannot, text-to-911 would be appropriate to use.  When texting 9-1-1, the initial message should be short and include the location of the emergency. The person texting should also ask for police, fire, or medical assistance. The next step is to answer the dispatcher’s questions and follow the instructions of the police dispatcher. People are advised to keep responses short and simple. Emojis will not go through, and other short abbreviations might not be understood.   

Proven effective throughout the United States, text to 9-1-1 is recognized as an excellent resource to have when cell phones are available but speaking on the phone would put the caller in danger.  The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) notes that text to 9-1-1 allows direct access to 9-1-1 for the deaf, hard of hearing or speech disability.  Residents are reminded to call, rather than text, whenever possible to ensure that critical information can be relayed in the most efficient way possible.  

“The San Leandro Police Department understands the importance of offering alternate ways to call for help.  This new technology for the City of San Leandro will have a profound impact on the ability of first responders to help those in need,” said Support Services Manager Melissa Graham.