Police, emergency services continue to report misuse of 911 system

A Burlington man was arrested Tuesday after Halton Regional Police responded to a 911 call claiming a woman had been shot.

But when police arrived, they found no one was hurt and say the call was a hoax intended to draw attention to a far less serious complaint made earlier.

“It is alleged that the 911 call was made … to expedite police response to a separate report in regards to missing property,” said Halton Regional Police in a statement.

As a result, they charged 27-year-old Zach Gerdes with two counts under the Criminal Code: convey false message and public mischief. The latter carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison upon conviction.

Gerdes was released on a promise to appear in court.

Police allege a call was placed to 911 at about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday evening, stating that a female had been shot at a Burlington residence on Walkers Line.

Heavily armed police tactical officers responded to the home along with Halton EMS but found no victim or confrontation.

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WATCH: Burlington man arrested for alleged false 911 call

1:58 Burlington man arrested for alleged false 911 call

The case is the most serious among a growing number of inappropriate calls to 911 reported by police departments.

“When you call on 911 for something that is not an emergency, it ties up that dispatcher so that they are not answering another 911 that can come in,” said Christina Votipka, a Las Vegas-based 911 dispatcher and trainer.

Votipka says she’s been repeatedly called asking for the current time, having been told by one person: “I know you’ve got a clock in there.”

In Simcoe, Ont., provincial police said a 911 call was placed in March by someone complaining about bedbugs.

Police say the man told the dispatcher he wanted police assistance.

Disgusting, yes — but bedbugs aren’t considered a valid reason to call 911, police warn.

Neither are calls for help with homework, which dispatchers say they occasionally receive from children.

WATCH: Controversy rises over Amber Alert sent after 11-year-old goes missing

2:59 Controversy rises over amber alert sent after 11-year-old goes missing

Following two Amber Alerts in Ontario in February and March, police were besieged by 911 queries from angry callers, complaining about being disturbed after receiving alerts on their mobile phones.

Police at the time appealed to people not to tie up resources intended for urgent calls.

“911 is only to be used for actual emergencies,” said Halton police in a tweet after the incident in Burlington.

— With files from Megan King and Andrew Collins