INFORMATION RELEASE

INFORMATION RELEASE
Subject: Verizon Phones Unable to call 911 Date: 4-22-16

From: Lt. Kris Sell Case or Incident: N/A

Summary:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++UPDATE++++++++++++++++++++++++++

9-1-1 service for Verizon customers in the Juneau area has been restored as of 1:45 this afternoon. Further investigation by the company showed that the only Verizon customers who lost 9-1-1 service were phones with area codes different from 907 but were physically in Juneau.
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On April 22st, 2016, the Juneau Police Department was notified by a citizen that an attempted 9-1-1 call on a Verizon cell phone did not work. Juneau Police Department dispatchers have been researching the incident and have found that 9-1-1 service for Verizon users is not currently available. JPD has been in contact with cell phone providers and telephone company officials but do not have an estimated time when service might be restored.

Verizon users are reminded an alternate phone number for the Juneau Police Department is 586-0600. If you have an emergency and use the 586-0600 number immediately inform the person answering the call about the urgency of the situation.

This notice will be updated when 9-1-1 service is restored to Verizon users. If you have a Verizon phone please do not call 9-1-1 to test the connection as multiple test calls may slow the answering of a real emergency call.

All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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