The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is now using Versaterm CommunityConnect, a communication platform that sends automated text notifications and follow-up messages to anyone who contacts the Sheriff’s Communications Center.
When someone calls 9-1-1 or reports a crime, they deserve to know what happens next. Too often, they don’t – not because law enforcement agencies don’t care, but because follow-up communication requires time and resources that aren’t always available.
Starting today, community members who call 9-1-1 or report a crime will automatically receive text updates on the status of their call or case.
Versaterm CommunityConnect integrates with the Sheriff’s Office’s existing Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) to trigger timely, personalized messages without requiring additional staff effort.
Only designated call types and dispositions will receive these automated notifications.
Depending on the nature of the call, Versaterm CommunityConnect may send three types of messages:
Initial Acknowledgement
Within minutes of their call, a reporting party receives:
Confirmation their call-for-service was created
Event number
Notice that a Sheriff’s unit will respond when available
Delayed Arrival Notification
This notification is sent when a call has been holding for 30 minutes, and then every 60 minutes after that, up to three times. A reporting party is informed:
Their call is still active
Sheriff’s units are delayed due to handling other calls for service
Call Disposition Notification
This notification is sent ten minutes after a call is cleared using certain dispositions, such as:
Arrest made
Cancelled calls
Handled with deputy response
Each message will include a link to view the information in Spanish. Recipients may opt out of future notifications at any time by replying STOP.
Which Phone Number Should I Call?
Emergency (9-1-1):
Call 9-1-1 if there is an immediate threat to life or property, a crime in progress, serious injury, fire or medical emergency.
Non-Emergency Line (858-868-3200):
Call the Sheriff’s non-emergency line to report past crimes, request information, make a report or reach a member of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office when there is no emergency.
About the Sheriff’s Communications Center
The Sheriff’s Communications Center is the first line of public safety. Emergency Services Dispatchers work around the clock to answer 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls. They are the vital link between deputies, officers, firefighters and paramedics to get you the help you need. Dispatchers use a sophisticated network of computers, radios, mapping and telecommunications systems to handle an average of 800,000 calls for service each year. They process more than 2,000 calls per day with the goal of answering each call within15 seconds. The Sheriff’s Communications Center has translation services and is equipped to expeditiously handle calls from a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, non-verbal or has difficulty speaking.
For more information about the Sheriff’s Communications Center, click here.
About Versaterm
Versaterm is a global public safety solutions company helping agencies transform their organizations by providing innovative solutions, expertise and an unwavering dedication to customer service. We are on a journey to build a public safety technology platform that will enhance community safety by creating purposeful integrations across the public safety spectrum. We deliver intuitive tools developed for public safety agencies, forensic labs, court systems, schools and other institutions.
For more information, visit www.versaterm.com.
For media inquiries about Versaterm, email: media@versaterm.com.
