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Rash of false 911 calls wreaking havoc, OPP say

With every unintentional call received, precious seconds may be taken away from someone who really needs help, police warn
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NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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MIDLAND - Members of the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to over 94 false calls to the 911 system between Sept. 9 and 22, 2019.

Ninety-two per cent of these false 911 calls came from a cellphone or a cellphone synced smart watch with the highest percentage of false 911 calls coming from areas with the largest population, 30 per cent of the calls occurred on Saturdays.

As high as 78 per cent of these 90 false 911 calls were "dropped calls" as the phone either lost signal or the caller simply hung up prior to speaking with the emergency services communicator which still created a call for service for the officers to investigate.

About 64 per cent of the calls were confirmed to be accidental and 43 per cent of those calls were attributed to be pocket dials which happen when an insecure mobile device with a large screen or is equipped with an SOS feature being carried in a purse, backpack or in a pocket makes contact and dials without the owners intent to do so.

For every accidental call, dropped call or pocket dial received, an emergency services communicator must determine whether a real emergency exists and if police, fire or paramedics should be dispatched. With every unintentional call received, precious seconds may be taken away from someone who really needs help.

If you place an unintentional 9-1-1 call, stay on the line to let the emergency operator know it was a pocket dial/unintentional call. Every 9-1-1 call is taken seriously.

When a 9-1-1 caller doesn't respond, that could be a sign of trouble - a possibility an emergency responder can't ignore. This then results in officers being dispatched to try to locate the caller to ensure that there is no emergency, taking up even more time dedicated to the call.

You can prevent pocket dials or unintentional 9-1-1 calls by:

  • Locking your keypad/screen if your phone has this feature and/or buying a phone case with a full screen cover to prevent contact with the touch screen.
  • Avoid from programming a wireless device or landline phone to 'speed dial' 9-1-1.
  • If you have a smartwatch that is synced to your phone ensure that the auto call feature is turned off.

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