Waterloo police received more than 1,000 invalid 911 calls over 1st week of June

Waterloo Regional Police say they received more than 1,000 invalid calls over the first week of June, which works out on average to 175 calls per day.

There is a wide variety of reasons people are making the non-emergency calls on emergency subjects, according to Const. Ashley Dietrich.

“Recently, we have received 911 calls for people looking to get vaccinated,” she told Global News.

“In the past, we have received  911 calls from residents disturbed about Amber Alerts.”

1:37 Video shows how a 911 caller led police to a suspected impaired driver in York Region

In addition, on Monday, the service issued a tweet that stated it is also getting a number of pocket dials.

“If you dial 911 accidentally, do not hang up. Stay on the line and let the call taker know it was an accident,” the tweet suggested.

“If you hang up, the call taker will need to call you back to determine why you called and confirm there is no emergency.”

Dietrich urged residents to only dial the three digits in case of an emergency.

“Waterloo Regional Police are reminding residents that calling 911 is for emergencies only,” she said.

“When residents misuse 911, this does impose a risk to those who may be in a state of emergency.”