Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – The Edinburg Police Department, in collaboration with RGV911, has debuted new technology that will help improve emergency response times throughout the city when residents need assistance.
Dispatchers are now able to initiate video calling features on a case-by-case basis, allowing EPD telecommunicators to analyze key details from a scene directly from the caller’s camera when necessary. Information from the live feed will then give officers en route a better understanding of the situation and the community member’s needs. The video feature will also improve access for those who may have difficulty describing an emergency verbally, such as individuals with speech or hearing impairments.
In addition, Edinburg dispatchers now have access to advanced texting tools that allow residents to message 911 in 31 different languages, eliminating the need to contact a third-party translator and saving vital time. The public can send a text in their native language, with dispatchers receiving their response in English. Responses from the telecommunicators will then be translated back to the resident’s language of preference, giving both parties ease of communication in a dire situation.
Edinburg PD continues to prioritize the community’s needs and is determined to create a safer city one call at a time.
