Plan Lets Drivers Make Free Cellular Calls To Wsp

Tue., April 18, 1995

By Bonnie Harris bonnieh@spokesman.com

Wanted by Washington State Patrol troopers: cellular telephone users who aren’t afraid to tattle on fellow motorists.

A program that would allow callers to dial four digits and be connected directly with the state patrol may start soon in Spokane.

If it works, there could be WSP informants all across the state.

“We thought Spokane would be a good place to try it because there’s less radio traffic out there and yet it’s still a good-sized city,” said Nancy Davis, who works for WSP’s research and development unit in Olympia.

The proposal came last fall from Spokane Sgt. Chris Powell, who read an article about cellular telephones and the Florida Highway Patrol.

Drivers there are encouraged to place free calls to police on their cellular phones whenever they see possible drunken or reckless drivers.

“It seemed like such a good idea, and I thought it would be good business for us,” Powell said.

A similar program is in place in Bellevue, Wash., where cellular telephone users automatically are transferred to WSP dispatchers whenever they dial 911.

Powell said he’d rather see a system where callers can get the WSP without dialing the emergency number.

“Some people are reluctant to call 911 if it isn’t a full-blown emergency and they think they see a drunk driver or something,” he said.

Powell wrote up the suggestion and sent it to higher-ups in Olympia, where details are being worked out. Davis said officials like the idea and indicated they’d like to see it running in Spokane this summer.

The cost? Virtually nothing. Two large cellular carriers in Spokane have offered free calls to WSP.

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