Saturday, January 20, 1996

Confusion over 311 Line in Omaha (Omaha World Herald)

A headline appearing in The World Herald caught the attention of local music fans. It read: "Need for 311 in Omaha Is Doubted."
Apparently, followers of the former omaha band 311 (pronounced Three-Eleven) took a double when a story ran concerning the potential need for a non-emergency phone number to augment 911. The number being set aside by the U.S. government for that purpose is 311.
"I had a number of people comment on it," said Linda McDonald mother of 311 drummer Chad Sexton.
Confusion about the Feb. 20 headlin might have been caused in part by a television feature story about local bands that aired on WOWT-TV (Channel 6) the night before, Ms. McDonald said. Among the bands featured was 311, which has had its share of controversy since forming in 1990.
Last year, the band's name -- taken from a police code for indecent exposure -- was feared to be linked to the KKK by some local authorities and Westside High School Students.
Ms. McDonald said she talked by phone last week to her son, who wondered wether the new 311 emergency number -- currently being researched by Omaha officials -- might draw attention to the band, which has been living in the Los Angeles area since 1991.
"He said he didn't know if it's good or bad," said Ms. McDonald.

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