Text-to-911 service coming to northwestern Indiana county

CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) - People in a northwestern Indiana county will soon be able to text 911 emergency messages.

The (Munster) Times (http://bit.ly/1QEbC2k ) reports the texting service will begin Monday in Lake County. Lake County E-911 director Brian Hitchcock says the service will serve people with a speech or hearing impediment, or people who are in a situation in which they don't want to be heard making a voice call to 911.

Hitchcock says a voice call is preferred and that it's the fastest way for callers to communicate their emergency and location. But he says "if somebody broke into your house and you are hiding in your closet, you can text."

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com