It’s peace of mind for Pinellas County residents who have been waiting for this. You can now text 911 in an emergency. Authorities say though that if you can talk, you should still call.
Channel 8 says they ask you to NOT send photos, video or emojis and avoid using any kind of slang. Just include your address and a description of your emergency. For now at least, the texting service is only available in English.
Pinellas County includes Baskin, Bellair, Bellair Beach, Boca Ciega, Clearwater, Crystal Beach, Dunedin, East Lealman, East Lake, Feather Sound, Gandy, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Kenneth City, Largo, Madeira Beach, Oldsmar, Ozona, Palm Harbor, Pass-A-Grille Beach, Pinellas Park, Redington Shores, Ridgecrest, Safety Harbor, Seminole, South Highpoint, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Sunset Beach, Tarpon Springs, Tierra Verde, Treasure Island, and West Lealman.