Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are addressing an ongoing issue where individuals misuse the 911 emergency service for non-urgent matters. This includes complaints about Amber Alerts, inquiries about volunteer opportunities, and grievances over traffic signs, among other inappropriate topics.
Recently, the OPP shared audio clips from three calls to illustrate the problem. In one recording, an irritated caller criticizes the emergency alert system, mistaking it for a personal inconvenience. Another caller uses the emergency line to ask about volunteering with the OPP, while a third expresses frustration over road signage, with part of his complaint being censored in the released audio.
The OPP emphasizes the importance of keeping the 911 line available for genuine emergencies, such as life-threatening situations, uncontrolled fires, active crime scenes, or when carbon monoxide or smoke alarms activate. They urge the public to use this critical service appropriately to ensure that those in dire need can get immediate help.
For non-emergency situations, the OPP advises calling their general inquiry line at 1-888-310-1122. Local police forces, including Peel Regional Police, Hamilton Police, Halton Police, and Durham Police, also provide specific non-emergency numbers on their websites.
The issue of 911 misuse is highlighted during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, recognized from April 14 to 20, where the contributions of 911 operators are celebrated. Despite their crucial role, these operators frequently handle calls that do not pertain to emergencies. For instance, Peel Regional Police reported receiving over 800,000 calls in 2023, with nearly 300,000 considered non-emergency misuses. This misuse can delay responses to real emergencies, as was noted last summer when genuine emergency callers faced extended waiting times.
Police also recounted other trivial 911 calls, including disputes over fast food orders, showcasing the ongoing challenge of educating the public on the proper use of emergency services.