Residents of the North Shore learned his weekend that emergency responders have got their number - literally.
That's after the North Shore's "rapid alert" system was used to help in the search for a missing Alzheimer's patient.
Time was of the essence; as events tragically revealed, an elderly person was unlikely to survive the sub-zero temperatures.
By all accounts the system helped mobilize the public.
Of course, another effect has been to let the public know the system even exists. Set up to deal with disasters like earthquakes and floods, the alert system has been in place for almost two decades. But it hasn't been used before.
Some folks were surprised - and even a little uneasy - to get a call from the authorities.
While most of the numbers are publicly listed, there were a handful of people who swore they never gave out their emails or cellphone contacts. Those people need assurance Big Brother isn't watching.
More crucial questions arise, however, about when and how the alert should be used.
In this case, it seemed warranted. But who decides that and based on what criteria? Many people go missing on the North Shore. There will certainly be more requests to make use of the system. Authorities should be able to explain why the alert is used - or why it isn't.
Finally, it'll be important to be cautious. Too much information and the public starts to tune out.
The last thing we want in a real crisis is a rush to the delete button.
