Residents across Chesterfield, Wildwood, Ellisville and Clarkson Valley have a new option to text 911 in an emergency.
The Saint Louis County Emergency Communications Commission activated the Text to 911 service for all of St. Louis County, according to a county announcement. The service covers residents and visitors.
Calling 911 remains the fastest way to reach help. But texting gives people a silent option when speaking out loud could put them in danger. It also serves people with hearing or speech difficulties, the St. Louis County Police Department said on X on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
To use the service, open your phone's messaging app and enter "911" in the "To" field. Full instructions are available on the county's announcement page linked above.
The county police department emphasized that a voice call should still be the first choice when possible. Text to 911 is meant for situations where calling is not safe or not an option.
Chesterfield, Wildwood, Ballwin, Ellisville and Clarkson Valley all fall within St. Louis County's 911 dispatch system. Residents can visit the county's Text to 911 page for details on how the service works.
