May 1, 2024

Accidental 911 calls becoming problem for Garden City Police

Garden City, KS(westernkansasnews.com) In today’s technology filled world it’s increasingly common for children to have cell phones. This of course can be a good thing for children, but lately it’s become an increasing problem for Garden City Police.

The movement has led to a higher number of accidental emergency calls. With a lot of the newer smart phones mashing the home button will tell the phone your in danger  and it will call 911 for you. Even when phones don’t have service they call still call 911 according to GC Police Communications Supervisor Timmy Snead.

“The problem comes in when we have to use man power to track down where the call came from and make sure everyone is ok,” said Snead, “and when it comes from a phone without service it doesn’t give us an exact location, it gives us an area and officers have to see if they can track it down.”

According to Snead the majority of the calls are accidents and not pranks.

“If you do accidentally call don’t hand up, talk to us and let us know everything is fine,” said Snead.

The police also asks that people just be mindful of what buttons kids are pushing on phones and to explain to them what calling 911 is and means.