how can I text photos, or text, to "911"?

[Squid]

If anyone except "legacy" LEOs were creating a 911/dispatch system, of course it would have provision for callers to instantly send a perp's pic so dispatch would have something other than "Adult male, med build, black or brown hair, jeans".

This kind of came up not too long after phones got cameras when my boss wanted to give cops pic of a "stalker'. Didn't seem to be anyway besides printing out and handing to cop IF cops even show.

Then you got "create a report" sites from local PDs. Not sure if they even allow Attachments, but I do know they are poorly designed and clunky like all Govt websites. I guess they only want people who are really determined to use them.

[Jim1348]

I am sure that you already know this, but text to 911 i s not available everywhere in the United States. I am located in Minnesota and we just got it about a year ago. It would NOT be my first choice, typically. Unless it has changed here, the text goes to the Hennepin County PSAP in Golden Valley MN and then information gets relayed to the appropriate PSAP. That can add extra time. Now if you have photographs to share, that may be a good choice. Just know that if you are reporting something in Bemidji MN and send a text, the text goes to Hennepin County and then the information is relayed. So, the phrase, call if you can, text if you can't, is very appropriate, in this case.

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/what-you-need-know-about-text-911

https://www.911.gov/issue_textto911.html

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ooc/news-releases/Pages/minnesota-text-to-911-available-statewide.aspx

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ecn/programs/911/Pages/text-to-911.aspx

Currently, most public safety answering points (PSAPs) cannot accept 911 calls via text message. However, efforts are underway to make this service more widely available to provide more access to 911 for people with disabilities and those in situations when it is dangerous to make a voice call to request help. In 2014, the four largest wireless service providers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon), in conjunction with the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), agreed to provide all 911 call centers with the ability to receive texts. Since then, nearly 1,000 PSAPs across the nation have configured systems to receive text message requests for 911 services.

In areas where text-to-911 is not available, a user attempting to text 911 will receive an automated bounce-back message that indicates the text’s failure to be delivered. In these cases, the user should then contact 911 by other means, such as a phone call.

[Soper]

If anyone except "legacy" LEOs were creating a 911/dispatch system, of course it would have provision for callers to instantly send a perp's pic so dispatch would have something other than "Adult male, med build, black or brown hair, jeans".

This kind of came up not too long after phones got cameras when my boss wanted to give cops pic of a "stalker'. Didn't seem to be anyway besides printing out and handing to cop IF cops even show.

Then you got "create a report" sites from local PDs. Not sure if they even allow Attachments, but I do know they are poorly designed and clunky like all Govt websites. I guess they only want people who are really determined to use them.

You just have no idea what you are talking about. Read Jims post.