WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Police Service is looking at bringing 911 up to date with technology: which could some day allow residents to text rather than call 911.
Inspector Kendra Rey told the Winnipeg Police Board Friday the 911 system is being upgraded later this year.
With the upgrade comes the prospect of messaging for help: text messaging to 911 is already available in several other jurisdictions in Canada.
“We will get to texting,” said Rey, who also stressed the service won’t be offered in the near future.
Rey also said that sending in picture and video could happen down the road.
However she said a lot of work needs to be done before that happens including finding out who will receive the data and how it will be stored.
Even though technology is changing Rey says a phone call is still the preferred option.
“You can hear background noises and nuances in the person’s voice,” said Rey, adding that it is far quicker to get information across through a phone call instead of a text.
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