How do Colorado Springs police contact citizens in harm’s way? (CO)

by | Mar 4, 2020 | Articles

The disturbing crime spree that occurred on Feb. 22, apparently orchestrated by a single perpetrator — including two homicides, two carjackings, and bullets fired at random cars, seriously injuring one driver (interactive timeline below) — might appear to have warranted an order from law enforcement for nearby residents and those at businesses to shelter in place until the suspect was in custody.

But it wasn’t until a police standoff Feb. 25 that CSPD issued such an alert, often called a “reverse 9-1-1,” through the El Paso-Teller County 9-1-1 Authority’s Peak Alerts system.

EU Initiative to Support Public Safety through Secure Satellite Communication (Europe)

by | Mar 2, 2020 | Articles

Although it has been a taboo at the European level up to now, the time has come to break this taboo and to recognise that space is an enabler of security and defence, with a defence dimension for Galileo and a security element for Copernicus, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said at the 12th Space Policy Conference in Brussels on 22 January.

In his address at the Conference, the Commissioner stressed that the security and defence element of the space programmes would be strengthened with the progressive launch of two new initiatives – a Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system to monitor space debris…

Six-year-old girl dials 911 for her ‘injured’ stuffed bunny (Canada)

by | Mar 2, 2020 | Articles

TORONTO — Police were dispatched to a home in the U.S. after a six-year-old dialed 911 for her “injured” toy bunny, sparking one of the cutest conversations on the internet.

Fort Collins Police Service in Colorado traced the call to an address to investigate after the youngster, Natalie, hung-up.

In audio released by the police, the girl, her mom and grandmother can be heard explaining the situation to kind-hearted officer Dane.

9-1-1…Where is Your Emergency?

by | Feb 28, 2020 | Articles

It is a question asked 240,000,000 times a year, according to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). While it is indisputably the most critical piece of information that the caller has, it is also the most difficult to communicate to the 9-1-1 call taker. How can this possibly be in this age of modern cell phones containing location services?  

True, the cellular device you have in your pocket knows precisely the location of where it is. It uses radio signals from the mobile network, GPS satellite positioning… READ MORE

Businesses Need to Comply with New 911 Law or Face Risks

by | Feb 28, 2020 | Articles

The deadline to comply with Kari’s Law was February 16, 2020. Here’s an overview of what employers, businesses, and the hospitality industry need to know.

Signed into law last year, Kari’s Law is one of two laws aimed at improving the 911 service. The law is named after Kari Hunt Dunn. Ms. Dunn was attacked and killed by her estranged husband in a hotel room. Dunn’s 9-year-old daughter tried to call 911 from the room, but the hotel required guests to… READ MORE