Nuisance calls bog down Tipton County 911

COVINGTON, TN — In a life and death situation you want to be able to call 911 and get help right away.

Tipton County 911 dispatchers say right non emergency nuisance calls are tying up the system.

Among recent, calls at woman who thought  it was OK to call 911 to get an officer to drive by her house while she was away to make sure it wasn’t being burglarized.

And a man who called the emergency number because he was looking for a new place to live.

“I was wanting to see if I could talk to the fire department in Covington. There is a Sgt. Davis who owns houses for rent. I was wanting to see how much he was renting them for,” said the caller.

Ttipton County 911 says right now 75% of the calls coming into this dispatch center are non emergency calls.

And the 911 director say most of the time the people making them are well aware they’re calling 911.

“I would like to send an officer to give them a fine,” said Tipton County 911 Director Renee Downing.

Instead, Tipton County 911 is trying to educate people about when they should use 911.

They are visiting schools, handing out pamphlets and even key chains reminding people to use it… don’t abuse it.

“Maybe they just don’t think. Maybe it’s action before thougt,” said Downing.

Back in 2007 Shelby County 911 launched it’s own campaign with TV ads and billboards.

Tipton County dispatchers say they want callers to know unnecessary 911 calls not only waste their time, but put lives on the line.

“Your loved one could need to make that phone call and you have the line tied up,” said dispatch supervisor Odessa Bernard.

Tipton County is asking all non emergency calls be made to (901) 475-4300.

Read the story here.

Related Stories

• No Related Post