More than 700 north and north-east residents have signed the Press and Journal petition to save police call centres in Aberdeen and Inverness.
Concerned people across the region have joined politicians, community leaders and rescue workers in backing the campaign, which now less than 300 signatures away from its target.
Party leaders at Holyrood – including Labour chief Kezia Dugdale – are among those who have signed the petition.
Sign the petition here
The campaign to keep the call centres open has gathered strength following a damning report after the M9 crash scandal, with many arguing it highlighted the need for local call centres.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland has recommended keeping the centres open until there is “independent assurance” over call handling procedures.
But Justice Secretary Michael Matheson rejected the suggestion that any such review could actually reverse the closure, raising fears that it is merely a “box ticking exercise”.
Police Scotland has now confirmed they intend to shut the control rooms by October this year.
One of those who backed the petition, George Mitchell, said the force was “playing Russian roulette with people’s lives”.
Another, Bill Nicholson, wrote: “Whoever thought to close these call centres was only interested in saving money and moving another service to the central belt.
“It was not to make the community safer as has been shown by recent incidents.
“The longer the lines of communication are, the greater chance of human error. How many operators in the central belt have
heard of Foggie?”
Politicians from across the political spectrum, including local MSPs Alex Johnstone, Lewis Macdonald and John Finnie have all backed the petition.
Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson and Aberdeen City Council finance convener Willie Young have also lent their support to the campaign, as has Willie Anderson, leader of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.
To sign the petition visit
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-our-call-centres-keep-999-local