Cell callers to 911 can be automatically located
Alexandria, Virginia-AP -- Thanks to new technology, nine-one-one dispatchers in Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington don't always need to ask where a caller is located. If the person's calling on a cell phone, Alexandria emergency workers can pinpoint where they are -- even as their location changes.
According to the Washington Post, the city is the first in the area and among the first in the nation with the technology.
But it isn't a sure-thing. For the system to work, the cell phone must be a newer model. In fact, one test call during a demonstration was mistakenly deflected to a database in Arlington.
Overall, the city says the technology is a major step forward and can help police get to and secure crime scenes as fast as possible.
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