What was police number before 911?
Prior to the establishment of the 911 emergency number in 1968, citizens had to rely on other methods to contact the police in case of an emergency. In the early 20th century, most cities had their own police emergency numbers, which often varied depending on the region and jurisdiction.
Before the 1930s
Before the widespread adoption of telephone service, communities relied on messengers, town criers, and community watch programs to respond to emergencies. The earliest recorded police number in the United States was in London, England, where residents could contact the local police by ringing the watch box bell, which would send a messenger to investigate. This system was introduced in 1829 by the London Metropolitan Police Service, also known as the Metropolitan Police Service or the Old Bill.
1930s-1960s
In the 1930s, police emergency numbers began to be assigned in major cities across the United States. These numbers were often assigned to local police departments or to regional authorities. Some examples include:
- New York City: 113 (initially, this number was only for radio communications between police officers, and emergency calls were answered through ordinary phone lines)
- Chicago: 345
- Los Angeles: 219
- Washington D.C.: 243
- San Francisco: 141
Problematic early systems
Prior to 911, these systems were often plagued by:
• Limited reach: These numbers were usually only reachable from within a specific region or city limits.
• Overwhelmed networks: Emergency lines often experienced congestion, resulting in long wait times and unanswered calls.
• Differing protocols: Different departments and regions used various emergency protocols, which led to confusion and misunderstandings during emergency responses.
Proposal and Implementation of 911
In 1958, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) assigned a single, standardized number (911) for use nationwide. The system was proposed by the California Public Utility Commission, with the intention of creating a universal, easily accessible number for citizens to contact the police and other emergency services. In 1968, the first 911 system went live in Haleyville, Alabama, on February 16th. This event marked the beginning of a new era in emergency communications.
Implementation across the United States
In 1970, the first automated 911 system was deployed in Green Bay, Wisconsin, marking the beginning of the national rollout. The following states were among the first to implement 911 systems:
- 1973: California, Connecticut, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio
- 1974: Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee
- 1975: Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin
- 1976: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming
Key Features and Milestones
Some significant developments in the evolution of the 911 system include:
- Automatic location information: In the late 1990s, cell phones began to transmit location data to 911 dispatch centers, allowing responders to rapidly locate emergency situations.
- Text-to-911: In 2013, the first text-to-911 services became operational, enabling people to communicate with emergency responders using their mobile devices.
- Next-generation 911: The FCC began pushing for the development of NG911, a next-generation system that would utilize Internet Protocol (IP) to deliver more advanced capabilities, including video and text communications.
- Increased cybersecurity measures: As technology has improved, so has the emphasis on securing the 911 system from cyber threats.
Conclusion
In the decades leading up to the establishment of the 911 emergency number, police forces and emergency responders had to rely on makeshift systems, often plagued by limited reach, congestion, and varied protocols. The implementation of 911 revolutionized the way citizens connect with law enforcement and other emergency services, providing a single, universal number that is still widely used today. This article has taken a chronological look at the development of police emergency numbers prior to 911, highlighting some of the most significant events and milestones that led to the creation of this now-ubiquitous service.
