THE PUBLIC MIND: POLICE CHIEF RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS ON 911

To the Editor:

Recently I was appointed to chair a committee involving 911 and the hope of the people of this city for approving such a system on the November ballot.

I listened to the reservations of many people about the system and what they thought was wrong with the idea. Some concerns were legitimate, and some were the product of misinformation or just not understanding what was being asked.

I would like to say that I can answer some questions and invite you to attend a town meeting on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Scott City High School cafeteria. Representatives from the phone company, the 911 committee and the city of Scott City will be on hand to answer your questions.

Some questions that I have heard are:

"What's it going to cost?"

According to law, no more than 15 percent of the basic service can be used for 911. Again, this is your basic service, not your entire phone bill. The basic service cost is approximately $7.55; less if on a party line, more if you're a business. The maximum on this formula again varies, but using the $7.55 basic phone service, the cost would be $1.20 per month or $14.40 per year. This would be collected by the phone company and then issued to the city.

"What's the difference between 911 and 911 Enhanced? Isn't 911 free?"

No service is free. A few years ago Cape Girardeau went to 911 and didn't approach the voters for passage because they had the money in hand for the system.

The difference between 911 and 911 Enhanced (or 911 E) is that with 911, the only benefit is that it is easier to remember the number; it is almost universal in use. There is basically no difference between regular seven-digit dialing and the 911 dialing. On the other hand, 911 Enhanced automatically gives the location of the phone calling in. This is beneficial because sometimes the person may not be able to speak in a stressful situation, give the wrong address or may not know the exact location they're calling from. It happens. Stroke patients sometimes cannot speak. Heart-attack patients sometimes cannot speak. Children, even small ones who know how to dial 911, may not know their address. People with blood-sugar problems become confused. The list can go on and on.

For those people that choose to call in anonymously to the police department, they may still do so on our regular numbers, which will still be in service and answered as they are now, without fear of someone knowing where they're calling from or who is calling.

Enhanced 911 is a service that we have to ask ourselves if we need or want. It's a choice we will make. I think it's a choice that we cannot go into thinking it will never happen to me, or I will never need this service. Thank you.

David J. Beck

Chief of Police

Scott City