911 Call Centers Won't Be Ready For E911 Deadline

(Mis)Uses of Technology

from the too-much-spending-on-boots... dept

Last year we had a story about how the money that NY was supposedly collecting for E911 service (so police have the ability to locate mobile phone callers), was instead put into “dry cleaning bills, ballpoint pens, travel, car leases, grounds maintenance for precincts and winter boots.” In response to this revelation, a bill was introduced in NY State to give more money to governments that don’t divert the funds. You read that right, the plan to save the system was to give more money to governments that actually do what they’re supposed to – rather than throwing away money on other things. So, is it really any surprise to find out now that a new study shows that 50% of all 911 emergency call centers won’t be ready in time for the deadline? Apparently, they need more money. Perhaps if they hadn’t squandered the money specifically earmarked for this purpose there wouldn’t be a problem. It sounds like many of the call centers haven’t even started the process of getting ready, despite knowing about the deadline for many years. The wireless carriers have fulfilled their end of the bargain and should all be ready when the December 31, 2005 deadline hits. It’s just the local governments that have been ignoring the mandate in favor of spending money elsewhere. In the meantime, don’t be surprised if the E911 fees on your mobile phone bill go up as the local governments need to make back all the money that went into those boots and ballpoint pens. Hope those new boots are comfy and the ballpoint pens write smoothly.