In an emergency situation, most of us know to call 911.
But what if that wasn’t possible?
Imagine an active-shooter situation, where talking into the phone would give away your location. Or you’re a victim of domestic violence, and whispering into the receiver puts you in danger.
In 11 of 39 counties in Washington, people can actually text their emergency to a dispatcher. In places like Snohomish and Kitsap counties, Text to 911 is a lifeline for certain emergency situations. It's also the the first step in the next-generation of "Enhanced 911" coming to Washington over the next few years. Yet while it's an important lifeline, it's lagged behind in the state's biggest counties. Even though it was promised long ago.