SF Bay Area police departments will now allow 911 texts

RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) — People who live in four San Francisco Bay Area cities can now text, rather than call, 911.

KNTV reports (http://bit.ly/1TcSuxP ) Friday that the Richmond Police Department is taking the lead on the new technology.

Starting this week, people who live in Richmond, El Cerrito, Kensington and San Pablo can send a text to 911. Dispatchers say that's a potentially life-saving option.

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Richmond is the first agency in Northern California to launch the new system, but the program is already proving successful in Southern California. Last month in San Bernardino a hearing impaired woman suffering a medical emergency texted 911 and got the help she needed, the station reported.

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Information from: KNTV-TV.