The county that includes Columbus plans technology upgrades that would allow residents to text authorities
about emergencies if they can't call 911.
The Columbus Dispatch reports Franklin County residents would likely be the first in Ohio to have that option.
David Ziegler is overseeing the $2.3 million upgrade and says the texting option would be useful for people with impaired hearing and in cases in which someone is hiding and can't speak up.
He says the contract for the technology upgrade still must be approved.
The county's Office of Homeland Security and Justice Programs said the texting option likely won't be available until next year at the earliest. Eventually, the county also hopes to be able to accept images and video sent from cellphones.