SPOKANE, Wash. — At Monday night's meeting, Spokane City council is expected to approve the Spokane Police Department's (SPD) request to buy the "My90" communication system.
The whole goal behind the pilot project is to improve, and even speed up, law enforcement's communication with crime victims.
SPD is taking steps to improve communication with the public following police response to crimes. With city council's approval of the "My90" system purchase, it's expected to launch next year.
A committee report on "My90" says it includes the ability to send text messages to 911 callers based on the type of call.
Once a dispatcher enters the reported information, a message can be sent automatically to the caller.
One example is a collision without injuries. "My90" can text instructions on how to exchange information or safely move the vehicles out of the roadway.
City Council member Michael Cathcart believes this tool could start to bridge the gap in communication between law enforcement and crime victims.
"To have a tool like this, it will provide a more immediate response, even if it's just, hey, you know, help is on the way," Cathcart said. "You know, stay put, that kind of thing. It's really important, I think, to have that kind of communication, so people know, okay, somebody at the city, they did hear my call, they are coming."
Down the road, the system will eventually be able to automatically communicate with crime victims about their police report and investigation. An improvement from waiting on the police department to call back with that information.
"[It will] certainly help alleviate, but it's not going to overcome, or, you know, entirely change. I mean, that can only happen with with really, more staffing and more individuals," Cathcart said.
The system can also send a variety of surveys callers can submit regarding community safety. The committee report says this gives the police department insight on officer interactions and create actionable feedback.
For now, "My90" will be a two-year pilot program. It will be funded through a grant SPD received last year.