The problem is that most people didn’t realize that this got turned on, and are accidentally calling 911.
“This has actually brought a lot of strain on both our dispatch center, as well as the deputies and officers on the roads,” said Tierney Peters, community relations coordinator at the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.
The number of 911 calls that were open lines or hang ups nearly doubled from last month to the month before. And every one of these calls requires a law enforcement response.
“They are taking every call seriously because they don’t know if it is or is not legitimate,” said Peters.
And each one of these unnecessary responses can take officers away from serious situations.
“Anoka County is huge geographically,” said Peters. “If deputies are dispatched up to Linwood and it’s not a legitimate call, that deputy is all the way in Linwood now; and if there’s someone who needs assistance in Oak Grove, that’s quite a bit of a distance.”
So, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and emergency communications are asking people to either turn off this feature in their phones settings, or be aware of it and be careful with the power button.
Peters also said that if you notice that your phone has accidently called 911, you should stay on the line and talk to the dispatcher. This can save an officer from needed to make the trip to check things out.
