Cellphone stock photo (Pixabay, 2020)
Do NOT prank call 9-1-1.
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) says it received several prank calls from youths. Media Relations Officer and HRPS Constable Ryan Anderson explains why that’s a bad idea.
Yesterday, we received three 9-1-1 prank calls from local youth.
All three calls tied up multiple officers, Communicators, and resources.
9-1-1 should only be used in an emergency when you need *immediate* help from police, fire or ambulance services.https://t.co/UndEIG0a2n pic.twitter.com/v82KCAXaZt
— Halton Police (@HaltonPolice) September 9, 2022
While the three youths in these recent incidents were not charged, Anderson notes there is the possibility of criminal charges being laid. He says it ranges from case to case, but it’s never ruled out.
Sometimes the kids just don’t realize what they’re doing. That’s evident in cases when a parents gives a toddler a smartphone (with no SIM card) so that they can watch videos or play games. The child will then mess with the phone, causing it to react and call the emergency helpline. As a parent, Constable Anderson knows this happens but he wants parents to also be aware about the possibility. Those accidental calls will also take up valuable time and resources. If you ever find yourself on the end of an accidental 9-1-1 call, it’s best to stay on the line and explain what happened.
In the event that you hang up, and ignore follow-up calls from emergency officials, it’s likely they will look up the phone number and find the assigned name and address. That means you could end up with officers on your doorstep just because you pocket dialed 9-1-1. Always clear the air before hanging up.
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‘Ask a Cop’ will return with more of your questions being answered. Send your questions to news1013@localradio.ca, message your questions to FM 101 Milton on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can also read past ‘Ask a Cop’ segments:
- How fast is too fast? Speeding and snow covered on ‘Ask a Cop’
- Protests, spot checks, and skating on Mill Pond covered on ‘Ask a Cop’
- How safe is Halton? How do you become a Detective? Questions answered on ‘Ask a Cop’
- Hate crimes and rewards: Your questions answered on ‘Ask a Cop’
- ‘Ask a Cop’: How officers test drivers for marijuana use, and unreadable license plates
- How eTickets are speeding up the ticketing process for Halton Police
- How to protect yourself from falling victim to ‘home repair’ fraud
- ‘Ask a Cop’: Impaired driving clarifications and emergency plans for break-ins
- With fluctuating temperatures this week, it’s important to stay safe on the road
- Lose something valuable? Find something? Here’s what the Halton Police recommend you do
