Newport police set up Y2K hotline
Greg Risling
NEWPORT BEACH -- People fearing the impending “Y2K” scare hasn’t
been addressed enough have prompted city officials to create a 24-hour
information hotline for residents.
The dedicated line -- (949) 644-3620 -- will allow residents to obtain
information about millennium-generated problems that may occur. Callers
also will have the chance to leave information either on a voice-mail
system or with a live operator, who will man the phone lines from 8 a.m.
Dec. 31 to 8 p.m. New Year’s Day.
“People will be able to get information and also provide it as well,”
said Lt. John Blauer, community relations officer for the Newport Beach
Fire and Marine Department. “We felt our citizens needed to know the
latest information and this is a way we can do that. We are trying to be
proactive in our Y2K preparations.”
The hotline is also a means to supplement emergency dispatch lines.
Public safety officials expect to be flooded with calls -- not all of
them an emergency. The hotline will give public safety agencies the
opportunity to divert calls to one area.
While most people are hopeful the New Year celebration will pass without
a glitch, Blauer said it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“We can answer your questions and get you headed in the right direction,”
Blauer said. “Getting information may be the key and we want to ensure we
can help.”
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