9-1-1 TEXTING

You can now text 9-1-1 in Kern County.

Sheriff’s Commander Damian Nord says this helps residents who are hard of hearing, as well as victims of certain crimes like robbery, kidnapping, and home invasion who cannot make a call because of safety concerns.

But local law enforcement is asking people to text 9-1-1 as a last resort because they only have four lines, and it’s easier for dispatchers to figure out where you are when you call.

Kelli Pierce