Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

KPCC Archive

In LA County, you can now text 911 in an emergency

(
Harry Sieplinga/Getty Images
)

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

Those experiencing an emergency in L.A. County can now text 911 if calling isn’t an option.

Officials launched the Text-to-911 program as a way to help Angelenos who might be situation where it is too dangerous to speak on the phone, such as domestic violence case or active shooter emergency. The text messaging service will also give hearing and speech-impaired residents the ability to report emergencies more easily.

Some important things to keep in mind:

  • 911 texting is not available if you are roaming.
  • A text or data plan is required to place a text to 911.
  • Photos, videos and emojis cannot be sent to 911. 
  • Text messages should not contain popular abbreviations (SMH, ICYMI)
  • Texts to 911 cannot be sent to more than one person. Send only to 911.
  • Those using the service should be prepared to give their location immediately
  • 911 texting is available in English only 
  • 911 texting is only available in Los Angeles County. Those who text from outside the county will get a bounce-back message.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist