Law Enforcement Busy With 911 calls

 Managing Editor/Publisher

Law enforcement officials in Grant County were busy recently with a multitude of 911 calls over a six-day period which started off on April Fool's Day.

Starting April 1, the law enforcement center began fielding 911 calls.

According to Grant County Sheriff James Biddle from April 1-6, they had a wide range of 911 calls including some for EMS, grass fire, accidental dials, a runaway and more.

"Someone called 911 for a vehicle unlock," Biddle said. "One was an alleged abduction, but it was a false report. There was a 911 call at the track meet, but they didn't need anything."

Officials had a very busy April 1-6, but fortunately, none of the calls were of a "serious nature".

When should someone utilize 911? Life and death emergencies and in-progress crimes against property which include, but are not limited to:

•Life threatening situations

•Fires

•Motor vehicle accidents

•Injuries requiring medical attention

•Hazardous chemical spills

•Smoke detector, carbon monoxide alarm or other alarms sounding

•Smoke in a building

•If you see someone hurting someone else

•To get help for someone who is hurt

•If you see someone taking something that belongs to someone else or breaking into a home or business

When should 911 not be utilized?

•For information

•For directory assistance

•For your injured or lost pet

•Abandoned vehicles

•Asking for directions

•Parking complaints

•Questions about tickets, warrants, court dates, etc.

What if you call 9-1-1 in error?

Don’t Hang up!

Stay on the line and advise the dispatcher that you dialed in error. If you hang up, the following will happen:

•A call back to the phone is initiated by the dispatcher to determine if there is an emergency.

•If the dispatcher is unable to contact the caller to verify that there is no emergency, a law enforcement emergency response unit is dispatched to the residence to determine if an emergency situation exists, since the 9-1-1 call shows the address and phone number of the person calling. The operator would prefer to talk to an adult in these instances.

•If the dispatcher makes contact and still feels there may be a problem the officer will continue to the location to verify there is no problem.