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xEllimistx t1_jdhp638 wrote

Reply to comment by loafums in 911 Transcript for "The Teddy Bear Abduction" by GTripp14

As a 911 dispatcher, we might not even need that. There’s software now that can pinpoint a cell signal to a few feet. My agency uses one called RapidSOS.

It’s not 100% perfect(which is why we still want addresses from the caller) but a good ping can get me your location and, if you stay on the line, will continue to track even in a moving vehicle.

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TadaoSiimply t1_jdi1fip wrote

Woah, technology these days scares me

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xEllimistx t1_jdi302h wrote

To be honest, it was public outcry that catalyzed 911 centers into getting this sort of tech.

Even with the benefit of smart phones and Google Maps, too often, callers simply don’t know where they are. Maybe they’re new to an area or they’re just so panicked they can’t think but RapidSOS has lead me to addresses on open line disturbances where I can clearly hear a fight going on but no one is answering questions. One of my partners took a call from someone who had hung themselves, then second guessed it so they managed to dial 911 before dropping the phone but were basically hanging themselves on the phone.

I remember one case a few years ago, which was probably the incident that really pushed it nationwide, a woman crashed into a creek. Car was filling up with water but she was trapped. She had no idea where she was so she couldn’t give the call taker any location information. She ended up drowning before anyone could find her. Turns out, the cell tower routed her call to a completely different agency. They had no idea where that poor woman was because it wasn’t even their city.

Something like RapidSOS probably would’ve given responders a chance to find her and save her.

That being said, I do understand the privacy, or lack thereof, implications

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matkamatka t1_jdm4f1q wrote

What happened to the guy who hung himself?

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xEllimistx t1_jdmg4q9 wrote

Survived. It was a teenager and mom, I think, came home and found them in the closet and was able to get them down before the worst happened. PD was on scene just a minute or so later and would’ve kicked the door in due to exigent circumstances

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nightforday t1_jdr1jh8 wrote

I'm so glad to hear that they survived. I can't imagine the horror of attempting suicide and then changing your mind after it's (almost) too late to do anything about it.

Thank you for the job that you do. It must be incredibly stressful, traumatic, and disheartening, but hopefully the times when you're able to help someone help mitigate that a bit.

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