County Urges: Dial 911 Not 112

A facebook posting has gone viral, and it is causing problems at E911 centers throughout the Nation, according to a press release by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. The facebook posting that has been repeated over and over again instructs people to call 112 to verify police stops if they fear they are being pulled over by a police impersonator. Curious callers are testing the system to see if it works, and are tying up legitimate 911 emergency lines.

Douglas County E911 Director Greg Whitaker is asking Douglas County residents to not dial 112 because it is unreliable. The 112 designation works only with certain cellphone providers and may not get the caller connected to an E911 Center. The 112 designation has long been the toll-free emergency line in Europe; 911 has been the toll-free line in the United States. Director Whitaker advises residents to always call 911 for emergencies and police officer verifications.