Dallas Area Rapid
Transit (DART) customers will be able to connect to DART Police via text message
beginning Friday, April 6. It’s as simple as sending a short message with the
keyword dartpolice to 41411.
The newest tool
by DART Police is not meant to replace emergency calls, but instead assist
crime fighting by transit customers that are hearing impaired, do not wish to make
a phone call if they see a crime or something else that makes them
uncomfortable while on DART. It is also expected texting will prove popular
with customers who simply prefer texting over talking, such as teens and young
adults.
The text number,
41411, is the same one used by DART customers to find the next departure and
arrival times for buses and trains at their stop or station. The only
difference with the police text service is customers must start the message
with the keyword dartpolice to make
sure it is delivered to a DART Police dispatcher. The dispatcher will read it, gather
more information and, if needed, send an officer. Including details in the
message about their route/rail line, location and direction of travel in their
initial text helps the dispatcher assist the customer more quickly.
