Verizon, 911 service, LG Chocolate 3 phone: May not work

[AZRedhawk44]

Went to bed at 10 last night.

Woke up at 11:50 to 4 gunshots just over my backyard wall to the south, no more than 2 houses away.  Could have been fireworks, possibly... but sounded like large caliber subsonic gunshots or possibly a shotgun.  Two pairs.  First pair was much more audible than the second, the second pair sounding muffled.  Sounded like the first pair was aimed out a window (home owner defending against intruder in window or door), and the second pair aimed inside a house (home owner continuing to shoot intruder as he enters).

Sat still for awhile to make certain that I heard no footsteps in MY backyard (all houses in our neighborhood have cinderblock walls surrounding the yards... not terribly worried about shots coming through it and into my house unless someone lets loose with a full sized non-poodle rifle) or anyone climbing over my fence.  Called dog to me, closed bedroom door to make sure he doesn't go outside and bite anyone stumbling through my yard, cops or bad guys.  Gave it about 2-3 minutes, then found my cell phone and hit 9-1-1-Send.

Nothing.

9-1-1-Send.

Nothing.

WTF?

Turn on lamp to make sure I'm hitting the right numbers, even though the keypad is illuminated.  9-1-1-Send.

Nothing.

Screw it, I pick up my cordless house phone.  9-1-1-Send (it's a wireless phone but connected to a landline).  I get through and report the gunshots and direction/proximity.  They got another report as well.  Asked if I wanted/needed assistance or an officer to stop by, I said no, I was fine.  Hung up and went back to bed.  Never heard sirens in response, which creeps me out a bit.

I know I didn't dream it, because my landline phone was next to my bed this morning (I never use the landline), and my bedroom door was shut when I woke up.  Definitely was real.

Woke up this morning and reported the lack of 911 access to Verizon.  Even re-tried calling 911... still no luck.  LG evidently has a recall on Chocolate 3 phones as they are no longer compatible with Verizon's 911 service, and they are sending me a new phone for free.

FYI:  If you're on verizon and have an LG Chocolate 3, your 911 access may not work.

I posted this on another forum I frequent, but figured I'd post this here as well.  I simply took it for granted that my phone would reach local 911 if needed at an Appleseed.  I don't know how long my phone has not been 911 functional, but I would guess that I've been to several Appleseeds where my phone has been unable to reach 911 as it is legally required to do under FCC law.

911 access is not something you just randomly call and check to see if it works... this is an odd situation.  I do know of at least one other 'Seeder with the same model phone and same carrier, who probably has the same problem and doesn't even know it.  I'd assume there are many more, as Verizon is a popular carrier and the LG Chocolate 3 was a popular phone that did "enough" without being too obnoxious/ostentatious like many phones are today.

If you've got this phone on this provider you will want to call verizon tech support and resolve it by getting a free replacement phone.

[mike93lx]

Thanks for the heads up.  This is definitely cause for concern, especially with how many people don't have a land line (myself included).  Too bad there isn't a way to test it without actually connecting a call.