Daily Press Release - Media Advisory: January 11, 2012

In light of the recent public awareness campaigns by various police services across the province, the Barrie Police Service has joined in the efforts to help minimize the amount of cellular phone “pocket dials” to the 911 emergency system.

So far in 2012, the Barrie Police Service had at least a dozen pocket dials every day. In the 24 hour period of January 1st this year, the Barrie Police Service received approximately 30 pocket dial calls to 911.

Once investigated, the calls were found to have been dialled in error for various reasons including storing the cell phone in their pocket (without locking the phone), 911 being set to speed dial, children playing with the phone, phone error and people using their cell phone in bed then fall asleep and activate the emergency key

The problem lies with the police resources that are unnecessarily utilized, especially if there are other calls for service or emergencies that are valid. At least two Officers are responding to every 911 call, as well, the call takers and dispatchers are working in the background to obtain crucial information to locate and assist in the emergency, which becomes time consuming when there is no one on the line.

The Barrie Police Service urges cell phone owners to help alleviate this problem by adding a couple of measures to their daily regimen. Please ensure the phone is locked, or on stand-by mode before storing them in a pocket or case, do not set 911 to a speed dial setting, store/charge the phones in an area not accessible to small children.

We are confident that if we all work together, we can drastically reduce the misuse of your community’s police resources thereby allowing them to be available for the “real” emergencies.