Young children playing with phones and pocket dials are being blamed for a large number of non-emergency related 911 calls.
WOODSTOCK - Woodstock Police is reminding the public to only dial 911 in an emergency.
WPS is responsible for all of the 911 calls in Oxford County and in 2014 they had 22 653 calls for service. Of those calls 4 197 were for non-emergencies or accidental 911 calls. The biggest culprits were children playing with a phone and pocket dials.
Constable Nikki VanLeeuwen tells Heart FM people should not be calling 911 to ask for directions. "We have had people calling us for poison control information when they should be calling the poison control number. They call us - we have had people calling us for weather information, for other information, travel information, if they need directions somewhere they will call 911, so I don't think people really understand the system itself."
VanLeeuwen says every time you call 911 it ties up valuable resources and at least one officer will be sent to your home even it was just a pocket dial. When police officers are responding to these non emergencies it means they are not available when a real emergency is happening.
When to call 911
- A threat to life or an immediate threat or serious physical injury or major property damage
- Any crime in progress
- Any crime that recently occurred in which there is a high probability that a suspect might be apprehended near the scene or in the immediate area
- Any serious injury that may result in substantial personal harm in which an officer might render immediate aid
- Any unique incident that demands an immediate response
What to expect when you call 911
- A calm courteous man or woman will answer the call
- Stay on the line
- Be prepared to answer questions
- Know your location
- Listen carefully, speak clearly and try to remain calm
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