Auburn Police Department adding Live911 to improve response time

In an effort to boost response times and officer safety and efficiencies, the Auburn Police Department is adding a new technology tied to its 911 calls. The Auburn City Council on June 27 unanimously approved the department's request to add a Live911 service to its arsenal of technology. The action makes Auburn the 11th department in the state to implement the tool. Live911 provides the ability for first responders in the field and support personnel to monitor the location and audio of incoming 911 calls. Lt. Tucker Huey said Auburn PD currently utilizes a single-dispatch system where the dispatcher takes the 911 call and pauses the conversation to communicate with the officer. Huey said dispatchers sometimes can miss "subtle cues" because they don't have the same geographic expertise some beat officers have. "It livestreams the 911 audio to the first responders in the field," Huey said. "Officers have real-time information, which cuts down the delay and helps provide de-escalation because the officers have better understanding of what is occurring before they get there." The dispatcher can see on their end if an officer is listening in on the call, which allows them more time to talk with the reporting party. "The officers are able to hear just how frantic the situation is," Huey said. "When someone is reporting a fight, that can mean a lot of different things. So it's useful to be able to get that first-hand understanding of the emotion and the tensions of the situation." Huey reported that utilizing Live911, the department can benefit from an increased response time with better response plans due to obtained information. "Live911 was developed to save lives in the community and it can keep officers safer," he said. The new technology costs the city $1,380 (one time) for installation and training and has an annual reoccurring cost of $6,000 a year. Huey said it is worked into the department's annual base budget. "It ties into our strategies to use technology to bolster our response to provide safety and effectiveness and efficiency," he said. The city council was interested in having a demonstration and possibly a report on how the system is working after it has been implemented. "I think it is cutting edge and fantastic," Mayor Sandy Amara said. "I love that you're bringing this technology and ways to improve service and make our communities safer."