New Jersey will be implementing a new statewide 911 texting system. 

The Attorney General, the State’s new Chief Technology Officer, the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the Director of the New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rutgers officials are teaming up to announce statewide implementation of a new “Text-to-9-1-1” system and introduce a promotional video to drive home the important message of “Call When You Can… Text When You Can’t.”

Text to 9-1-1 allows individuals to contact emergency services for assistance by text instead of voice calling. Rutgers is hosting the roll-out event to help reach its own community of students, faculty and staff – and to highlight the university’s role in dispatching all Text-to-9-1-1 messages for residents of Middlesex County. Representatives of the State’s Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be on hand to highlight efforts to alert those with hearing loss that they now can reach emergency assistance through Text to 9-1-1.

Taking part in the rollout at Rutgers University, will be: Christopher Porrino, Attorney General, State of New Jersey; Chris Rodriguez, Director, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness; Maj. David Brady, New Jersey State Police; Dave Weinstein, Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey; David Alexander, Director, New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Richard L. Edwards, Chancellor, Rutgers University-New Brunswick; Kenneth Cop, Executive Director, Public Safety and Chief of Rutgers University Police.

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