What’s unusual about calling 911 from a cell phone?

Because of the way cellular telephone calls are routed, calls to 911 may not reach the proper dispatch operators. Generally, the law enforcement agency that receives a cellular 911 call is determined by the origination of the call in relation to a specific cellular tower. The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office routinely receives 911 calls from cellular users from surrounding counties.

If you are reporting an emergency via cellular telephone, it's crucial to inform the 911 operator of your exact location. The appropriate and closest response can then be activated.

Show All Answers

1. How do I contact Dispatch for non-emergency issues?
2. How can I add my cellphone or unlisted phone number to Beaver County's AlertSense system so I can receive emergency notifications?
3. What’s unusual about calling 911 from a cell phone?
4. Why do 911 operators ask so many questions?