Spokane, WA – In times of crisis, every second counts. Recognizing the urgency of emergency situations, the Spokane Police Department is piloting a new communication system designed to enhance public safety and improve response times.
The new system, known as MY-90, aims to provide immediate assistance to callers even before officers arrive on the scene. Shawna Ernst, the department’s Law Enforcement Technology Manager, explained, “If you call 911 and need help, we can send you some messages pre-arrival before the officer even gets there.”
MY-90 sends automated messages to individuals who dial 911, though it is not triggered for every incident. For example, those in the midst of violent situations will not receive text alerts. The system primarily addresses property crimes.
“If you had, say, a vehicle prowling and you were worried about identity theft because you had documents in your car, we can send you information on how to protect yourself from future crimes,” Ernst noted.
When you call 911, you may receive a text indicating when an officer will be dispatched. By next summer, these messages will also include links for filing police reports and obtaining status updates.
The MY-90 system will be utilized for calls to both 911 and Crime Check, allowing dispatchers to manage calls more efficiently. “Our officers are really busy, and sometimes it takes a bit to get to the scene of an incident,” Ernst said. “We want to send communication more quickly and not tie up our phone lines.”
Another key feature of MY-90 is its feedback mechanism. After calling 911, users can click a link to leave a review for each officer they interacted with, as well as provide feedback on the department as a whole.
This innovative program is expected to launch later this year, with the Spokane Police Department hopeful that MY-90 will improve both response times and community engagement.
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