Charlton Police Remind Residents of ‘Silent 9-1-1’
Mass.gov
Shortly after 7:30AM on Monday, a 9-1-1 dispatcher received a silent 9-1-1 call from a Charlton resident. Someone could be heard crying in the background, but no one would respond to her on the phone. Charlton Police were dispatched to the home while the operator kept the recorded line open.
Upon arrival at the home, the officers investigated the circumstance surrounding the call and eventually arrested a male for domestic assault and battery.
The Charlton Police Department wants to remind everyone that if you find yourself in need of help, but be unable to speak due to illness, injury or other circumstance, you can still dial 9-1-1. If you are able to use the keypad on your phone you can still communicate with dispatchers by following the silent call procedures.
Once you’ve dialed 9-1-1 and an operator has answered, you can press:
- 1 if you need police
- 2 if you need fire services
- 3 if you need an ambulance
If you’re asked a question during the call, you can press:
- 4 to respond yes
- 5 to respond no
If you are unable speak or give dispatchers your location, police say they will do their best to try to locate you and get to you as soon as possible. Even if you are in the woods on a cell phone they have technology to try to track you down.