Law makes it easier for law enforcement to ping cell phone signals in an emergency

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A new law in Kentucky will make it easier for cell phone carriers and law enforcement to work together in emergency situations.

It’s called the Leah Carter Act, named after the 19-year old from Monroe County who drowned last year as emergency crews worked desperately to search for her.

Following the Dec. 31 incident, Carter’s family worked with lawmakers to prevent the incident from happening again. The way that the previous law was written, sometimes made it difficult for law enforcement and cell phone providers to work together during an emergency.

“Sometimes it’s a challenge of just the technology itself and working with a cellphone company that may or may not have that ability, but sometimes they require some paperwork or things like that,” said Officer Ronnie Ward, spokesman for the Bowling Green Police Department.

It’s called pinging, and it allows cell phone carriers to locate a person’s phone. That location information is then provided to law enforcement, but with discretion.

“I put myself in the particular situation. If it were my family, I would want you to do everything you could do. Climb a mountain if you’re needed to, to be able to get them safe. We look at that when we’re thinking about trying to find someone,” said Ward.

The Leah Carter Act will streamline the process, making it clear that cellphone providers should always work with law enforcement in the case of an emergency. Gov. Matt Bevin signed the act into law March 26 it goes into effect this summer.