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Text-to-911 just launched in two North Fulton cities

Cobb County residents can now send text messages to 911 for help.All major carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, have completed integration for the Cobb County Text to 911 system and the feature is now available to majority of wireless customers in the county. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION by KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM
Cobb County residents can now send text messages to 911 for help.All major carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, have completed integration for the Cobb County Text to 911 system and the feature is now available to majority of wireless customers in the county. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION by KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM
By Becca J G Godwin
Dec 16, 2016

Residents in Sandy Springs and Johns Creek are now able to text 911 when voice calls are not a viable option.

The new communication option was launched by the Chattahoochee River Authority, or ChatComm, Friday, according to a release. Dunwoody and Brookhaven residents also gained the capability.

Voice calls are still preferred, but texting is intended for people who have hearing impairments or speech disabilities, or are in unsafe conditions.

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Paulding County became the state's first adopter of a 911 text program in 2014.

Since then, other areas have adopted the practice, including Cobb County and Decatur.

In Alpharetta, the text-to-911 feature helped a deaf woman flag police after noticing two young children alone in a car.

RELATED: Alpharetta's new 911 callback system first of its kind 

But the feature, just like calling 911, can also be abused.

In November 2015, a former Sprayberry High School student was arrested for texting 911 to falsely report a shooting inside the Cobb County school.

Police say they will likely charge the person who sent a text message to Cobb 911 claiming a shooter was inside the school.

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Becca J G Godwin
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