Originally published July 26 2005
Tracking system helps Miami police trace cell phone 911 calls
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Because of their popularity, 60 percent of 911 calls come from cell phones, meaning callers have to describe their location as best they can to the dispatcher, but, according to nbc6.net, new technology that allows dispatchers to pinpoint a caller's exact location has been implemented in Miami's 911 system, and it could set the precedent for emergency response systems all over the country.
Nearly 60 percent of the telephone calls that come in for 911 come from cell phones.
Before Miami installed the new system, callers had to describe their location as best they could while under duress.
Now, when someone calls 911, officials say they can respond faster, know more about the problem and get the caller out of harm's way more quickly than before because of the 911 phone and dispatch system that is now up and running at the Miami Police Department headquarters.
The new system allows officials to pinpoint callers' exact locations, even when they call from cell phones.
"It really has taken the Miami Police Department into the 21st century, ahead of a lot of other police departments," Miami Police Chief John Timoney said.
"In our continuing efforts to provide the best protection and police service that any citizens in the country can have, we've added a critical function," Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said.
The system, called Computer-Aided Dispatch, did not cost Miami residents anything, but was installed using federal money.
Officials said that the system can even track callers if they are on the move.
"If somebody gets dumped into the trunk of a car, and are actually calling us on a cell phone, they're in a trunk, being driven around, they're not sure where -- we will now, with this system, follow that car," Timoney said.
With this technology, police officers will have callers' cell phone numbers and can call them back to get details on why they are calling for help.
The system is already up and running in Broward County and Miami-Dade County and the Miami Fire Department will also have it soon, NBC 6's Willard Shepard reported.
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