New Bill Introduced to Post E-911 Addresses on Docks

Missouri State Representative, Wayne Cooper has introduced House  Bill 657, which if passed would require boat dock owners to post their residential 911 address on docks located on lakes having at least 950 miles of shoreline.  This would allow for emergency responders to arrive at the scene of an acident on the water quicker.  This law will go into effect this August if, passed.  Four years ago, new E-911 addresses were assigned in Camden County.  According to Jr. Reiter, mapping and addressing specialist for the county, the addressing was required because in some instances, homes had been used solely for second residences and had never been assigned an actual street address.  This made it very difficult to respond to emergencies.  Mike Cleary, spokesman for Ameren UE, which governs boat docks at the Lake of the Ozarks, said the power company hasn’t taken an official position on the bill.  “In principle, as a matter of public safety, it looks like a measure we could support.  All new docks are currently required to display their E-911 addresses, but there are approximately 25,000 existing docks on the lake and this bill would require them to post that address as well,” he said.

Tags: Camden County, E-911 addresses, House Bill 657, Lake of the Ozarks, Wayne Cooper