ALL NEWS

Utah residents frustrated by travel declaration glitches

Apr 12, 2020, 6:31 PM | Updated: 7:36 pm

declaration form...

Sample of the text alert motorists will receive to fill out a declaration form when entering the state of Utah. (Marc Giauque, KSL Newsradio)

(Marc Giauque, KSL Newsradio)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Several Utah residents living near the state border are expressing their frustrations with the governor’s recent directive to fill out a declaration form whenever entering the state. Glitches within the system are causing residents to inadvertently get the alerts on their phones — for some, several times a day — despite never crossing state lines.

The directive went into effect Friday, with several complaints within the first day. It’s the first time the state has ever deployed a targeted wireless alert system like this, which is why there may be some glitches along the way.

“These are extraordinary times, and Utah is taking extraordinary measures like using this technology,” according to the state’s coronavirus task force’s website. “There may be some kinks here and there, but it’s absolutely essential to help us stop the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19.”

The Utah Division of Emergency Management went to Twitter over the weekend, asking for feedback from Utahns to help improve the system. If Utahns experience the alert going off while sitting at home or get several notifications in one day they are asked to report those instances.

The alerts are similar to other emergency system tests, sending tones and vibrations that are more abrupt than SMS notifications. This has caused some residents to become annoyed with the repeated messages.

“You’re trying to have a peaceful morning, or whatever, because we’re all sitting around the house,” said Jean Liddell, who lives in Roosevelt County. “And all of a sudden, your phone just starts to blare.”

Liddell said she lives two or three miles outside of Roosevelt, which is roughly an hour drive from the state’s border. Yet, she’s gotten a notification every day since the directive rolled out.

“Every day I’ve gotten one and it’s been when I’ve been home,” she said. “I’m not even out of my house. […] I’m not even driving.”

She said she’ll even get them while she’s standing in her kitchen early in the morning. Liddell said her friends have reported getting 13 of the emergency notifications in one day.

The Utah Division of Emergency Management (DEM) tweeted Sunday morning it had updated the system, narrowing the alert areas. This is in hopes to limit the number of emergency notifications residents in the St. George and Vernal area would receive.

 

The alerts are set up to notify travelers to fill out a declaration form when crossing one of the nine border checkpoints:

  • I-15 at the Arizona border
  • US-89 north of Kanab
  • US-491/191 at Monticello
  • I-70 at the Colorado border
  • US-40 at the Colorado border
  • I-80 at the Wyoming border
  • I-15 at the Idaho border
  • I-84 at the Idaho border
  • I-80 at the Nevada border

However, the Utah DEM received calls from residents saying they were alerted in unexpected locations. Because the system can’t distinguish between whether the driver is entering or exiting the state, some unsuspecting visitors leaving Utah are getting bombarded with the messages as well.

For those motorists, the Utah DEM said they can ignore the message until they return to the state — which is when they will be expected to fill it out. However, the entire process is voluntary and there are no consequences for failing to fill out the form.

Some are raising concerns on the system as a whole — saying it’s a violation of privacy for the state government to track resident locations when they haven’t consented to it.

However, the department said no data is being recorded through the declaration form process — although the system operates through mobile devices, cell phone numbers and other personal information are not being stored.

“There is no tracking through this type of alert, which is delivered using cell broadcast,” the department said. “The government receives no record of who ends up receiving a message through our system. The only confirmation we normally get is when people post screenshots of their messages on social media.”

The personal and health-related information collected from the forms will be stored in a secure environment, with limited access to the data, according to the Utah DEM. The collected information will be transferred to the Utah Department of Health for any needed follow-up.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

All News

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of t...

Simone Seikaly

Extending state flooding emergency, firearm restrictions, among topics for Utah special session

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of the legislature.

11 months ago

A video recorded by Facebook user Larry Jacquez shows the police response following the shooting in...

Jamiel Lynch, CNN     

At least 3 people killed and 2 officers wounded in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police say

Multiple people were shot and at least three killed in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police said in a Facebook post.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now....

Allessandra Harris

Camping over Memorial Day Weekend? Plan ahead

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now.

11 months ago

slcpd on the scene of the deaths...

Josh Ellis

Police: Teen killed by father in murder-suicide in SLC office building

Police responded to the office complex near 3000 S. Highland Drive on Saturday after emergency responders received a call from a community member who reported finding a body.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Utah residents frustrated by travel declaration glitches