THUNDER BAY — Provincial police will launch a new texting tool for those making non-emergency calls.
Effective Monday, July 10, those making certain non-emergent calls will get a follow-up text message from the OPP with information specific to their incident once their initial call is complete.
Superintendent Heath Crichton said specific criteria will be followed for what warrants a follow-up text message. As a leading main example, Crichton detailed that if someone logs an incident regarding an abandoned vehicle or potential fraud, they will receive a message that will include their incident number and other useful information, like how to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Messages will be available in both English and French, and recipients can easily opt out of receiving any additional texts from the system.
Crichton noted that many secondary calls are made where an incident number is being sought for insurance or administrative purposes. He says this ties up their call centres when this information can be easily sent digitally.
It was made clear that the OPP continues to have a victim-centric approach and will not send response messages to those who have logged incidents on serious matters and or those requiring immediate police attention.
As a pilot project, the text responses will run for a period of nine months, at which point the OPP will reassess the project's value. If deemed valuable to the community, the project will continue for as long as it provides value for the community in which they serve.
When asked what the cost behind a project like this would be, Crichton responded that the OPP is "Not in a position to release a specific number in relation to the cost of this initiative." He continued, "Seeking this type of immediate feedback from members of the public helps us ensure that we at the OPP are providing the best and most professional service to the people of Ontario and meeting the needs of those we serve."
The Superintendent also noted that they are well aware of fraudulent text scams claiming to be police and other government agencies, and he says another way to be aware is in the wording that the OPP use for their messages, also noting "if you didn't contact us, then it's not us."
