U.S.BREAKING NEWS
911 systems across California suddenly shut down
Oakland's dispatch system froze around eight-thirty Wednesday night, and Alameda County has been taking its calls since; officials have not said what caused it.
On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on BBN NewsroomPublished
Photo: Robert Hsiao · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0The Short: the best minute of this segment, cut vertical for your thumb. More about this Short
At a glance
- First reported by New York Post: “911 systems across California suddenly shutdown sparking chaos”, with reporting from CBS San Francisco, KION Central Coast and KTVU.
- Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 3:14 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
- Topics: California.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- New York Post911 systems across California suddenly shutdown sparking chaos
- CBS San FranciscoOakland 911 system goes down, calls rerouted to Alameda County - CBS San Francisco October 22, 2026 · facts used on air
- KION Central CoastOakland 911 system goes down, calls rerouted to Alameda County October 22, 2026 · facts used on air
- KTVU911 down in Oakland; emergency calls routed to Alameda County October 22, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThis just in: two major 911 systems in California shut down suddenly, the New York Post reports.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIn Oakland, calls have been down since Wednesday night, and Alameda County is answering them.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorPolice say only Priority One calls are getting a response, while fire dispatchers can still answer all fire and medical calls.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe city's IT department is working with AT&T to restore service.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorOfficials haven't said what caused it. For non-emergencies, Oakland residents are being told to email.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWe'll bring you updates as we get them.
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Photo: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
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Photo: The White House · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
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From the archive: everything BBN aired on Thursday, October 22, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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