Seventh and eighth 9-1-1 PSA videos released, Is This A Butt Dial? The Gameshow

Toronto Police Service News Release

Monday, July 9, 2012 - 3:12 PM
Communications Services:  416-808-8800

The seventh and eighth videos in the year-long 9-1-1 PSA campaign were released today to continue educating the public to the dangers associated with pocket-dials and misdials to 9-1-1.

The videos illustrate real dangers of the pocket-dials our communication operators deal with, multiple times, each day. Last month, alone, there were 7,370 pocket-dial calls made to 9-1-1. Each call has to be processed thoroughly to determine if in fact it is a pocket dial or an actual emergency.

Last year in Toronto, 107,000 pocket-dials were made to 9-1-1 and 116,000 calls to 9-1-1 were misdials. This PSA campaign addresses the seriousness of pocket-dialling that places the public lifeline in jeopardy.

We are happy to report that, since the launch of the campaign in January 2012, the number of calls made to 9-1-1 through pocket-dials or misdials have decreased, but the numbers are still too high. In the first six months of the campaign, there were more than 10,000 fewer pocket-dials made to 9-1-1 than in 2011.

Please take the time to know your phone and know how to lock the keypad. If you happen to call 9-1-1 in error, or you have misdialed 9-1-1, please don't hang up. Speak to the operator and advise them of your situation. This will reduce the time the operator has to take confirming your call.

Click here for Episode 1 of the gameshow, Is This A Butt Dial?

Click here for Episode 2 of the gameshow, Is This A Butt Dial?

Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Manger Dion Evelyn, Communication Services