People in Sikeston are now able to live-stream and text with police dispatchers.
SIKESTON, MO. (WSIL)---People in Sikeston are now able to live-stream and text with police dispatchers.
Sikeston police say it's part of a new program and technology upgrades the city recently started.
The new technology is called Prepared 9-1-1 live. Sikeston police Public Information Officer Tyler Rowe says people will be able to livestream or text when they call both the emergency and non-emergency lines.
“You'll be connected to our communications officer who will take your information and then they have the ability to ask if they can put your phone number into the separate program,� Rowe said.
The Sikeston Public Safety Department joins over 7,000 emergency response users with their new Prepared Live system. The system allows people to show live video, text, and send videos and photos to police dispatch.
From there people will receive a text message and link from Sikeston's Prepared Live system, and it's the user's choice if they want to give camera access.
“You won't be able to see the communications officer, they can also turn the screen off at any time for your safety, and also screen grab,� Rowe said.
But the system also has a GPS tracker on it and gives police your exact location in real-time.
A few Sikeston residents said they would use the livestream, including, Mary Wren who said she had to call 9-1-1 several times.
“One time I had a wreck and a woman hit me,� Wren said.
Officer Rowe says the new system will help get information faster to officers whether it is a dangerous situation or just a person lost.
“We don't necessarily have to send an officer straight to you if you already provided us with a description or picture. We can maybe go find that threat, go find that suspect, and then meet back with you at a later time,� Rowe said.
Officials want to emphasize the video calling option is voluntary and it doesn't give police access to a person's phone content or settings.
