GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Kent County Sheriff’s Office and Grand Rapids Police Department are pleased to announce that text to 911 is available throughout Kent County. Text to 911 allows those in need of emergency services to use their cellular device to contact 911 when they are unable to place a voice call. “The ability to reach 911 in the event of an emergency is critically important. The text to 911 service is a great resource that we’ve added to better serve the citizens of Kent County by ensuring direct access when voice communication is not possible,” explained Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young.

“Adding text to 911 is important for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech impairments,” said Chief Eric Winstrom. “It is also effective in situations where talking out loud could compromise the caller’s safety such as a domestic violence situation, a home invasion in progress, or someone being held against their will.”

To contact emergency services by text, simply enter 911 in the ‘TO’ field of your mobile device and then type your message into the message field. It is important to make every effort to begin the text message by providing the best location information you can, as the dispatchers may not receive your exact location. Photos and videos will not go through.

We encourage citizens to text 911 only when a voice call is not possible. Voice calls to 911 are still the best and fastest way to contact 911.

Remember: Call if you can, text if you can’t.

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GRPD Contact: Jennifer Kalczuk, PIO
Office: (616) 456-4269 
Email: jkalczuk@grcity.us 

KCSO Contact: Sgt. Eric Brunner
Phone: (616) 632-6106
Email: eric.brunner@kentcountymi.gov