The OPP says unintentional calls to 9-1-1 are decreasing, but more work needs to be done.
The OPP received nearly 300, 000 9-1-1 calls across the province in 2016. It has identified over 2,000 pocket dials in those calls. There are also 30,000 calls classified as unknown wireless calls.
According to Const. Kyle Ney of the West Parry Sound OPP there were 367 unintentional calls made to police in Parry Sound this year.
In response to these pocket dials the OPP is launching their #KnowWhenToCall campaign.
The police are asking the public to not call 9-1-1 unless it’s an emergency and to not let children play with mobile phones or tablets. They’re also asking the public to be be mindful and not let their mobile device be put in a position to call the police.
According to the OPP, every unintentional 9-1-1 call ties up an operator until they can determine if a real emergency is going on. Every accidental call takes seconds away from people who need help.
Police say if you discover that you’ve pocket dialed 9-1-1, stay on the line to tell the operator it wasn’t intentional. The OPP says if a 9-1-1 caller doesn’t respond, it could mean that they are in danger.
Pocket dials can be prevented by using the keypad lock feature on your device, turning off the 9-1-1 autodial feature, or by not programming a phone to speed dial 9-1-1.