By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK — The Lincoln Park Police Department Facebook page advised residents that they can now select a text-to-911 menu option from their smartphone to reach Downriver Mutual Aid by text when making a voice call would put them in danger.
Residents are advised to not use a downloaded app, and to only use the software available through their smartphone.
Text-to-911 messaging is limited to 160 characters, and cannot include photos or video. They should include the nature of the emergency and the address, without using abbreviations. Responding texts usually occur 20 seconds to one minute after a text is sent. A bounce-back message will be sent to the user if the 911 text could not be sent.
Police officers said a voice call is always a faster and preferred method, when it is possible to do so safely.