Is texting your preferred mode of communication? You’ll be glad to know that Marion County is on the cutting edge of services available via text. In 2010 Marion County Sheriff’s Office was the first county in FL to launch a Non-Emergency 9-1-1 texting service through the phone number 352-351-9111. In 2012, Marion County 2-1-1 was one of the first 2-1-1 services in FL to launch 24 hour texting service through the number TXT-211(898-211).

While Next Generation 9-1-1 services, enabling the public to transmit text, images, voice, video and data to the 9-1-1 center, has not been implemented yet, it is in the works. In the meantime, you can send text messages to 352-351-9111.

To access 2-1-1’s texting service, simply text your zip code to TXT-211 or 898-211. (See image on the left for a sample text conversation with 2-1-1)

Have you ever texted 2-1-1 or 9-1-1 to access services? How did it go?