Jackson County residents may feel a bit more secure in the near future when a 911 service goes on-line after several years of development.

Carolyn Stitzer, coordinator of Jackson County 911, said the specific date the service will be available has not been determined, but added that the system’s equipment is being tested to see if it meets accuracy standards. Once the standards are met, the system will go on-line and 911 service will be available to Jackson County residents, Stitzer said.

Carbondale residents cannot currently reach emergency services by dialing 911. Basic 911 service is available on the SIUC campus.

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Sujata Desai, a graduate student in psychology from Dallas, said she was not aware that 911 service is currently not available in Carbondale, but will feel more secure when the service is operating.

Offhand, I don’t know the number to the police, so I’ll feel safer, she said.

Kara McRill, a senior in speech pathology, said she thinks the service should already be available.

see 911, page 5