Special Call Box Instructions
for Individuals Who Cannot Speak or Hear
Call boxes in San Bernardino County operate on a digital cellular signal. Because each call box is equipped with a large antenna, and is powered by solar energy, the boxes have a reliable power source and can pick up a cellular signal in areas where consumer cell phones cannot get a signal.
All call boxes in San Bernardino county are equipped with instructions inside the call box, explaining how to use the call box if for whatever reason you cannot speak/hear, or are having difficulty speaking/hearing.
Follow these instructions if you have a portable TTY/TDD device with a phone cradle:
- Place the call box handset in your TTY/TDD device cradle, and press the call box red button one time.
- The call answering center has special equipment to recognize the tone generated by your device, and text messages can be sent back and forth via the call box.
- Answer questions and follow instructions provided by the call answering center.
- When you are finished, place the call box phone handset back into the call box cradle and close the call box’s front door.
Follow these instructions if you are not able to speak/hear, or are having difficulty speaking/hearing but do not have a portable TTY/TDD device with a phone cradle:
When you open the front door, look above the small button that you push once. You'll see a small round plastic light with the phrase "call connect" above it.
- Pick up the call box handset, and press the red button one time. Within a few minutes, this round light should turn to a solid red color.
- Once you see the solid red color, then begin tapping on the call box handset mouthpiece rapidly. Continue tapping until the solid red light begins to flash. This means that the call box operator has heard your tapping, and understands that you cannot speak or hear, and therefore will notify law enforcement that assistance is needed at this call box.
- Place the call box phone handset back into the call box cradle and close the call box’s front door.
- For your safety, wait where you feel safe. If it is safe to wait in your vehicle, please fasten your seatbelt.
- Wait for 30 minutes. If you have not received assistance, please try this procedure again.