Three weeks out, only four 911 texts have been valid

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The ability to text 911 has been live in Snohomish County for three weeks now.

The good news is people are making use of the service.

The bad news is that so far, 81 percent of the texts received haven’t been for emergencies.

Dispatchers are averaging two or three texts to 911 a day now in the county, as they expected, said Debbie Grady, executive director for SNOCOM, the dispatch center based in Mountlake Terrace. SNOCOM received 911 texts from 36 people as of Thursday.

Four of those reports were valid, and would not have been better served as voice calls, Grady said. Two were from deaf people and two were from domestic-violence victims — two populations the service was designed to help. The nonemergency texts included complaints about speeders and neighborhood noise, according to a SNOCOM memo.

The message remains, “Call if you can, text if you can’t.”

“We will ask people if they can safely talk and if they say yes they can then we immediately call them,” Grady said. “You should text only when a voice call is not possible.”

Texts from people only wanting to test the service have petered off since the first few days, but prank texts continue, Grady said.

Just this past week, someone said they were being robbed. When dispatchers began asking questions, the person “realized it was serious and their prank may have gone a little bit too far,” Grady said.

In such cases, police officers are still sent to make sure everything is OK. There’s been an assumption that 911 texts — including pranks — can be anonymous. That’s not true.

A text provides less accurate location information than a land line call. It takes more time to pinpoint someone, but it’s possible, Grady said.

No matter what, in an emergency, the text should include a location, Grady said. Messages also must be 140 characters or fewer. Some wireless providers will cut up long messages into pieces, which might not all reach 911. A short text allows dispatchers to establish a dialogue and ask needed questions.

“There will be lots of opportunity to include information, but if they make the text too long, we may not get the message,” Grady said.

Snohomish County was only the second county in the state to roll out the service.

So far, more than eight more counties in Washington either are testing the service or talking about it, said Laura Caster, a Snohomish County 911 manager. Seeing it launched here is “taking some of the unknowns away,” she said.

Dispatch centers hope to work with the various wireless carriers on the existing limitations for 911 texting.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

911 texting

Location information might not be accurate when texting 911.

It’s not anonymous, so don’t prank. They have your phone number.

Texting is not available in all areas and not available while phone is roaming.

Translation for non-English speakers is not available.

The service requires a cellphone plan with texting capability.

The 911 center cannot control the delivery of the message from the carrier. Texting is a slower method for reporting emergencies than voice calls, except for those with specific speech and hearing disabilities. It also is meant to help people who cannot safely make a voice call, including hostage situations and domestic-violence victims.

Keep messages brief. Texts are limited to 140 characters.

Do not text and drive.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.