Call if you can, text if you can't; some residents can now text 911

Petersburg residents who have AT&T cell phones can text message local law enforcement in an emergency situation when they can't call 911, according to a press release from the Petersburg Police Department.

The Text-to-911 program was created as a way to enhance the way residents reach out to law enforcement during an emergency. The service was part of a new E911 system that was purchased in November for a total of $372,454. A grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security covered $285,000 of the purchase. The feature will be extended to GCI phones later this summer once necessary...