Southern Illinois Counties Enhancing 911 Services
By: Chris Veech
Updated: January 28, 2013
Enhanced 911 services are in the works for people in White County, Illinois. The upgrades are part of a national pilot project along with 14 other counties across southern Illinois. All of those counties will share the cost as well.
In the case of an emergency like last year's Harrisburg tornado , the upgrades in service will allow other dispatch centers in surrounding counties to serve as back up. White County Sheriff Doug Maier says the upgrades help law enforcement do their jobs better.
"Our officers have to have the ability to know where to go," said Sheriff Maier, "and we lose that communication aspect and that becomes very very difficult.. 911 in itself is deisgned to save lives, and I think these upgrades make it more capable."
Enhanced 911 services could eventually allow people to send text messages, pictures and other data to dispatch centers. The upgrades should be fully in effect by the end of the Summer.
