Read Full Article | View Source
Anyone in Ventura County can now reach 911 dispatchers via SMS text messages, public officials announced this week.
The change is meant to improve accessibility for residents who may have difficulty making phone calls, such as those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech impairments. The option to text 911 can also help people in emergency situations who are unable to make phone calls, like victims of domestic abuse.
Caroline Prijatel-Sutton, executive director of the nonprofit Coalition for Family Harmony, which provides services for victims of domestic violence in Ventura County, explained how certain crimes can prevent victims from making 911 calls…
