GIBSON CO., IN (WFIE) -
The Gibson County Sheriff says enhanced 911 service could be on the chopping block.
The Sheriff blames a lack of funding and says that's because many cell phone users are paying a lower fee for their services.
Sheriff George Ballard says if state legislators don't act, they would be reduced to basic 911 services.
That means the dispatcher wouldn't have GPS service to locate callers and they'll need the people on the other end of the phone to provide a specific location.
Ballard says it would also mean slower services and potentially, the difference between life or death for the person they're trying to serve.
In the age of the cell phone, many are now unplugging their home land lines.
That's why Sheriff Ballard says Gibson County's 911 fund is losing money at an alarming rate.
Enhanced 911 services are paid for through fees 50 cents for a cell phone and over a dollar for a land line, but Ballard says now that cell phones make up over 70% of their emergency calls, they're losing money.
He says there are a lot of cell phone users that are getting out of paying the fee, like those who have family plans and temporary track phones.
"You know, the loopholes need to be fixed. So, not only do the rates need to be looked at, the loopholes need to be plugged and this is something that is widespread," Ballard said. "We'll go to just being able to find the cell tower that you're operating on, that doesn't tell us where you're at. We're still going to have to find you, and you're going to have to know where you're at and if you've had a heart attack, a stroke, or been in a serious wreck you may not know where you are."
Residents say it's worth the extra cost and according to Sheriff Ballard,the change must happen this year.
"January could be too late," Ballard noted.
Ballard says another proposed possibility is combining 911 services between neighboring counties, like Knox County, but says he does not believe that's a good idea because the area would be too widespread for good service.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
