Public records request shows 'Text-to-911' has received multiple non-emergency text messages

Since it's launch in July of 2018, the "Text to 911" feature in Kern County has drawn in hundreds of messages from the community. "This boy texting my girlfriend and I don't like it." "I was wondering what the score for the Dodger game was?" Those are just some of the real text messages the Bakersfield Police department and Kern County Sheriff's Office have received. Tamia Smith, a communications supervisor at the Bakersfield Police Department said the new system has turned up more response than initially anticipated.