One Rhode Island representative is trying to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the state’s 911 system.
Rep. Robert Lancia hosted a summit for first responders and state officials to discuss problems plaguing the state’s 911 system.
“We want to get this system to be state of the art, what it needs to be, and it’s not here yet, not by a long shot,” Lancia said.
According to Lancia, the 911 system in Rhode Island isn’t funded appropriately. He says a large percentage of money collected for the 911 facility is actually going into the state’s general fund, when it could be invested back instead.
“The cost to run 911 comes out to about $5.4 million. So that left almost $10 million that was not going to the 911 system,” Lancia said during the summit.
Lancia said at least 60 percent of the money collected from the 911 fee in Rhode Island goes to the general state fund. It’s been that way for 15 years.