Alberta RCMP highlight reasons not to call 911

(RCMP-GRC Alberta)

In a release, Mounties stated that, “people are not always aware of what constitutes an emergency.”

“Our teams work hard behind the scenes 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year to manage incoming calls for service to keep our citizens and communities safe throughout Alberta.”

Some other unique calls 911 operators received in the past year include:

“My phone settings are all in another language, how can I change it back?”
“Can you bring me a hamburger? I am hungry and cannot drive!”
“I need you to stop my teenage son from vaping!”
“The neighbour’s kids strum the guitar every time I go for a smoke. No matter what time of day, this has been ongoing for three months since the start of lockdown.”
Multiple calls reporting suspicious satellites when SpaceX launched.

RCMP also noted an incident where after an airline passenger reported that their plane had been redirected from Edmonton to Calgary, the caller refused to exit the plane until their luggage was provided to them first.

With over 890,000 calls for service to 911 recorded in the last year, RCMP are reminding people to be mindful that emergency communications centres are busy at all hours with incoming calls.

911 should only be dialed in “true emergency situations”.

by Justin Goulet

Alberta RCMP highlight reasons not to call 911

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