1-1-2 myth causing confusion

A return of an old story being passed along social media sites - now as a new story - is causing confusion to the general public, according to a release from Saline County E-911 Director Lt. Tracy L. Felty.

The story is that people can dial 1-1-2 and get connected to the local police in all 50 states. This is incorrect.

The 1-1-2 number does not work in our area. 1-1-2 is the emergency number in Europe, not the United States. The designated number in the United States is 9-1-1 and any callers with an emergency should dial 9-1-1.

The story has been around since 2002 and reports that a female is driving down the road when an unmarked vehicle with a red-light attempts to pull her over. The caller dials 1-1-2 and is connected to the local police and police arrive and arrest a subject that was a rapist. The story continues that everyone should call this number.

Unfortunately, 1-1-2 is not the emergency number in the United States. The number is 9-1-1 and everyone should spread the word that 9-1-1 is the correct and only number to dial, according to Felty.