”
Dear Red Phone, We recently moved to the Morgan Hill area and
decided to not get a home phone at our new residence. We are using
our cell phones to avoid having a household phone bill. My question
is, is there a phone number that can be dialed from cell phones
that goes directly to the local 911 services and not the Highway
patrol switch board?
”
“Dear Red Phone, We recently moved to the Morgan Hill area and decided to not get a home phone at our new residence. We are using our cell phones to avoid having a household phone bill. My question is, is there a phone number that can be dialed from cell phones that goes directly to the local 911 services and not the Highway patrol switch board?”
Red Phone: Dear Direct to 911, Red Phone contacted Morgan Hill Police Chief Bruce Cumming, who said normally when someone calls 911 from a cell phone, it goes directly to the Highway Patrol Dispatch Center in Vallejo or Salinas (Morgan Hill sits on the dividing line). But, MHPD is set up as a 911 call center for cell and land-line phones.
“If one dials 911 on a cell in Morgan Hill, the call will most likely go directly to our dispatch center at the police station,” Cumming said. “Unless the person is on the freeway at which time the cell call will go to CHP in Vallejo or Salinas. The system is not perfect but most 911 cell calls are directed correctly. It has to do with technology and the signal hitting the right tower.”
Chief Cumming suggested residents program 779-2101 (non-emergency but goes to MHPD dispatch). Do not program 911 into cell phones as it can trigger accidental calls, he added.
Hope that answers your question and all is safe, good caller.
In mourning over closure of Poppy’s
“Dear Red Phone, on Father’s Day, I went to Poppy’s (Fish Poultry and More) to get something to barbecue. Imagine my surprise when I noticed the place closed, renovations going on and a new business moving in. I’m really bummed, because I enjoyed the owners and their meats and fish. Can you tell me what happened and who’s moving in?”
Red Phone: Dear Bummed, as an aficionado of Poppy’s pork chops, Red Phone is bummed as well. Michael and Jana Castelan closed shop the weekend before Father’s Day. Huntington Station, the former Glory Days right around the corner on Monterey Road, took over the lease and will move in sometime next month.
But, don’t fret. You’ll be seeing more and more of Michael, as he’s announced he will run for city council in November.
Good caller, hope you find another treasured place to purchase meat, poultry and fish.
Oh, if you do, let Red Phone know.
