The Sacramento Police Department is proud to announce a new partnership with Uber and emergency technology company RapidSOS. On Thursday, May 23, 2019, Uber will expand its 911 information sharing program to include the City of Sacramento. The Sacramento Police Department will be the first law enforcement agency in the region to have this new technology. This means that when an Uber rider or driver uses the Uber in-app emergency button to call 911, key trip details will be available to the Sacramento Police Department Communications Center through RapidSOS’ free solution for 911 centers called RapidLite, enabling dispatchers to send the appropriate resources to a precise location. Having an accurate location is key to any 911 call, especially calls in motion.  With this technology, dispatchers can determine where help is needed and send officers to the area immediately.

The Sacramento Police Department’s dispatchers have been able to receive a more precise location on mobile 9-1-1 calls since January of this year when they started using RapidSOS’ technology in addition to the standard automatic number identification (ANI)/automatic location identifier (ALI) provided through the mobile carriers.  The supplemental location information through RapidSOS is available to telecommunicators when a 911 call is placed from an iPhone iOS 12+ or an Android phone version 4.0+ that can deliver voice and data at the same time.

Uber launched the emergency button feature in the app in early 2018.  It then partnered with RapidSOS for 911 integration with local emergency authorities.  Since the information sharing feature was first launched in Denver, CO, it has been introduced in over 60 cities and counties in the United States.  Today we bring that technology to Sacramento.

While using the Uber app, riders are able to see their GPS location and car details (make, model, color, and license plate) when they tap the emergency button to call 911 and provide information to dispatchers. With this new technology, these details will be electronically transmitted to the Sacramento Police Department Communications Center.

This enhanced technology will help us provide emergency assistance to Uber riders and drivers in our city. We are proud of this new partnership with Uber and RapidSOS. Our police department remains committed to finding new ways to enhance safety for everyone in our community.