Pickens Co. begins allowing text to 911 for emergencies

PICKENS CO., {WSPA) – The most common way someone contacts 911 is by calling.

The Pickens County Emergency Services said they receive 4,500 calls to 911 each month, more than a thousand a week.

Now people can also send a text to 911.

“For example, a lost hiker may not have just exemplary phone service, but they may be able to get a text through. They could actually give us their location and the cell phone will ping their location to give us a latitude and longitude reading which will actually help us locate them more quickly,” said Billy Gibson, Pickens Co. Director of Emergency Services.

Dispatchers said while a call is still the best option if you can, texting makes it easier for those who are hearing impaired, have speech disabilities or are in a situation where talking isn’t safe.

“We had a situation where a male subject broke into a home while the homeowner was there. I don’t think the suspect was aware that she was there,” explained Lisa Cassell, dispatch center coordinator for Pickens County. “When she realized somebody broke into the home, she went and hid in the bathroom and called 911. She did have to whisper in order to make sure that the suspect didn’t realize she was in the bathroom. If she could have been able to text that would have been a better situation for her safety.”

Cassell said she has worked in dispatch for 28 years answering numerous calls.

“A lot of times the caller can be very anxious and they may be crying, they may be screaming, and sometimes it’s hard to understand the words that they’re saying. The ability to text really takes a lot of those factors out of it and just gives us the information,” said Cassell.

Officials said calling is still the best option for help.

“But if texting will enhance that then we’re certainly in favor of it and we want folks to know that we are here to serve them and that any way they can get that information to us in an emergency situation,” said Gibson.

Pickens County administration said studies have shown that people with phone anxiety are more likely to report an emergency when they can text.

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