NCJ Number
67525
Date Published
1977
Length
66 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT TO THE MINNESOTA SENATE CONCERNING A STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM SURVEYS POSSIBLE SOURCES OF REVENUE AND DISCUSSES 911 BENEFITS AND RAMIFICATIONS.
Abstract
TEN CITIES IN MINNESOTA CONTAINING 14 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION PRESENTLY USE 911. IN MINNESOTA, USE OF 911 LEADS TO QUICKER APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS, FOSTERS COOPERATION BETWEEN PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES, AND RESULTS IN REDUCED COSTS TO COMMUNITIES THROUGH CONSOLIDATING DISPATCHING SERVICES. ALTHOUGH ALL BENEFITS WILL INCREASE AS MORE STATE AREAS ARE COVERED, VARIATIONS IN TELEPHONE AND EQUIPMENT COSTS FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER WILL NECESSITATE STATE ASSISTANCE TO THE 911 SYSTEM. THREE POSSIBLE SOURCES OF REVENUE FOR 911 ARE DISCUSSED: TELEPHONE CUSTOMERS, STATE PROPERTY TAX FUNDS, AND THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND. TELEPHONE CUSTOMERS, HOWEVER, SHOULD NOT FUND 911, SINCE ENSUING TELEPHONE RATE INCREASES WOULD BE EXCESSIVE AND THE STATE WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF 911 QUALITY TO THE TELEPHONE COMPANIES. PROPERTY TAX FUNDS ARE ALSO INAPPROPRIATE SOURCES, BUT THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND WOULD BE MOST EQUITABLE FOR MINNESOTA CITIZENS, ALLOW MAINTENANCE OF STATE CONTROL OVER QUALITY, AND PROMOTE SERVICE UNIFORMITY. PROJECTED COSTS IN 87 COUNTIES ARE DISCUSSED FOR TELEPHONE INSTALLATION AND EQUIPMENT USE AND ANNUAL MAINTENANCE. THE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS FINANCING STRATEGIES ARE DISCUSSED. A 911 HEARINGS SCHEDULE, RECOMMENDATIONS, FOOTNOTES, AND TABULAR INFORMATION ARE INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN ESTIMATED COSTS AND RELATED LETTERS. (PAP)