NYC Emergency Hot Line Systems Get Upgraded
With camera phones, text messaging, and e-mail now ubiquitous, it was only a matter of time before antiquated emergency systems were upgraded to take advantage of these technologies. Making good on a promise made during a State of the City address, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has just announced that NYC's emergency and customer service hotlines are now able to accept photos and videos.
"I built a business on the idea that we could improve companies' performance by delivering better information instantaneously, and I've tried to bring that same philosophy to government," said Mayor Bloomberg. "By upgrading 911 and 311 to accept photos and video, we are bringing government accountability - and crime-fighting - to a whole new level. If your cell phone is equipped with a camera - and many are these days - you might be able to get a picture of something that will help the police solve a crime."
The New York City Police Department receives approximately 11 million 911 calls annually and the 311 Customer Service Center receives approximately 15 million calls each year. With call volumes like that, these upgrades to the hot line systems could require massive amounts of storage. Someone get Western Digital on the line...
"I built a business on the idea that we could improve companies' performance by delivering better information instantaneously, and I've tried to bring that same philosophy to government," said Mayor Bloomberg. "By upgrading 911 and 311 to accept photos and video, we are bringing government accountability - and crime-fighting - to a whole new level. If your cell phone is equipped with a camera - and many are these days - you might be able to get a picture of something that will help the police solve a crime."
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, DoITT Commissioner Paul J. Cosgrave
The New York City Police Department receives approximately 11 million 911 calls annually and the 311 Customer Service Center receives approximately 15 million calls each year. With call volumes like that, these upgrades to the hot line systems could require massive amounts of storage. Someone get Western Digital on the line...
