Ravalli County residents shun cellphone reverse 9-1-1

HAMILTON — Authorities in Ravalli County in western Montana are having a hard time persuading residents to sign up to receive automatic emergency notifications on cellphones due to mistrust of the government.

"I know a lot of people are scared, with emails being hacked and identity theft," said Charlene Stevens, who coordinates the program. "But what I'd tell them is this is a basic thing that could save your life or property."

It's not working.

"Only about 250 out of 40,000 residents have signed up," Dispatch Director Joanna Hamilton told the Ravalli Republic.

Dispatchers say residents have r...