A Lundar, Manitoba resident is facing numerous charges for making several 9-1-1 calls and demanding the NHL bring the Jets back to Winnipeg.
The phone calls started with the man demanding the return of the NHL team and his frustrations. The dispatcher politely told the man that there was nothing she could do and that the call was tying up a very valuable resource.
But the calls continued. The last straw was when the man called the dispatcher a crude name. She then told the man that the call was being traced and that officers were on the way to arrest him. The man responded with “If you’re coming to get me, can you bring me some smokes”.
Police arrested the man with charges of public mischief, false messages, harassing phone calls and obstructing justice.
Though this story is funny to read, it is important to know that tying up the 9-1-1 emergency service number can lead to a tragedy. If there was a real emergency and the lines happened to have been full becuase of this non-sense… it could have cost a life.
9-1-1 is for emergencies only. Emergencies are defined as:
* Any crime in progress (break & enter, robbery, etc)
* Any situation where people or property are at risk (fire, children on ice, etc)
* Any medical emergency (heart attack, accidental poisoning, etc)
If you accidentally dial 9-1-1, do not hang up. If you hang up, a ring-back will occur and this wastes valuable time. Stay on the line to advise the operator that you have dialed by accident, and answer any questions they may have.
For non-emergency calls you can contact Winnipeg Police at 986-6222.
Image Winnipeg Jets Originally uploaded by AccessWinnipeg
