Public alertsDHS helps diffuse Verizon emergency alert scare

DHS makes good use of its Facebook and Twitter connections // Source: dancingforselfesteem.org

Thanks to social media, DHS was able to help quickly diffuse an alarming situation for residents in New Jersey.

On Monday Verizon wireless customers in several New Jersey counties received a cryptic and apocalyptic text message that read, “Take shelter before 1:24 pm.” The text had been marked as an “extreme alert,” causing many to panic.

According to Verizon, the text was designed to be a test and customers were only supposed to see the words “test message.”

In response, DHS immediately took to Twitter to alert its subscribers that there was no civil emergency in the area.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said, “We did see quite a spike in 911 calls going into our sheriff’s office communication center,” despite DHS’ clarification.

Officials also reported increased calls to 911 dispatchers in Middlesex, Ocean, and Morris counties, which also received the message.

After the incident, Verizon issued a public apology for the text and the panic it caused.

“This test message was not clearly identified as a test,” the company said. “We apologize for any inconvenience or concern this message may have caused.”

As part of a broader effort to bolster the U.S. emergency alert system, cell phone providers have been working with government agencies to send emergency warnings to mobile phones.

The latest mishap is likely to be the result of testing by Verizon to create an emergency alert system. So far Sprint has already moved ahead with implementing its system and has scheduled its first test in New York City.