PowerPhone, a company that provides training for crisis management, has developed a system that enables camera phone users to transmit photos directly to E911 centers, according to the company's press release.
As part of its computer-aided call handling software, PowerPhone's "Cell Phone Delivery" capability allows images to be integrated -- with vertification -- in the E911 call record.
If a camera phone user says he can send an appropriate photo, such as of a child who might have been abducted or an accident, the E911 dispatcher sends an e-mail to the cellular phone. The user then attaches a photo to that e-mail and sends it back.
Process
The press release explains, "By following this process, the 9-1-1 center ensures that photos are linked with the appropriate records of the citizen's 9-1-1 call. Even more important, this process discourages citizens from randomly sending photos into the 9-1-1 center -- an arrangement that can lead to pranks and other abuses of the system."
There's no doubt that camera phone users are willing to take photos of criminal (and potential criminal) activity.
A newspaper reporter called me a few days ago seeking information about the use of camera phones in preventing/documenting criminal activities. I'll link to the article when it's published.
Comments