Toronto, Peel police experiencing ‘exponential’ increase in accidental 911 calls
Posted June 16, 2023 12:29 pm.
Last Updated June 16, 2023 1:27 pm.
Both Toronto police and Peel police say they are experiencing a “exponential increase” in accidental 911 calls due to recent software updates on mobile phones.
In Toronto, the 911 call centre received an average 6,500 calls per day in May of 2023, up from 5,200 in 2002. The call centre receives both 911 and non-emergency line calls (416-808-2222). Of those calls, 70 per cent were 911 calls and almost 50 per cent of those were accidental.
Anytime a 911 caller doesn’t respond or hangs up on an operator, the operator must make contact by calling back whether there is an emergency or not which can take up to 90 seconds. It comes at a time when 911 call volume and wait times are high.
Peel police say recent software updates to the Emergency SOS feature on Android devices makes it easier to dial 911 unintentionally and users are encouraged to turn the setting off.
TPS says they are working to reduce call wait times by hiring communication operators, of which it takes up to 18 months to train. They have also introduced text messaging notifications to respond to some calls that request the individual call back if there is an emergency.
Toronto police ask cellphone users to review the settings and lock it based on your needs.
We are experiencing a significant increase in 911 hang-ups/accidental calls
Recent software updates to the Emergency SOS feature on Android devices make it easier to dial 911 unintentionally
Cellphone users, particularly Android users, are encouraged to turn this setting off! pic.twitter.com/trtBYnIi1M
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) June 15, 2023
If you do call 911 by mistake, police ask you stay on the line to inform the operator you are safe.
