A well-meaning Sun City resident of Neighborhood APN19 was given some wrong information regarding an alternative number for 9-11 emergency calls. That phone number was shared with Neighborhood Watch officials who, in turn, sent it out through the very efficient Neighborhood Watch communications network.
The communique found its way to the Huntley police headquarters. Sargent Kevin Keane contacted Jim Uszler, Neighborhood Watch President, and told him of the erroneous information.
Sgt. Keane explained, “The reported phone number is a non-emergency phone number answered at Southeast Emergency Communications, our emergency communications center. 9-1-1 is the priority number so those calling this non-emergency number may have some delays if other emergencies exist at the time they call.”
Keane continued, “The best way for anyone encountering an emergency (police, fire or medical related), regardless of severity is to call 9-1-1. Those utilizing a landline will instantly provide their call-back number and address when a public safety telecommunicator answers even if the caller can’t speak. Those calling from cellular devices will provide GPS location which depending on handset and signal strength can be very accurate.”
Dialing 9-1-1, not any other number, remains the best to contact first responders.
