**TIMMINS POLICE SERVICE NEWS RELEASE**

In keeping with a recently noted increase in 9-1-1 hang up calls, the Timmins Police Service is issuing a public safety advisory in regards to the appropriate usage of this system.

All 9-1-1 systems are in place to manage emergency calls for service. General police inquiries are managed by means of the administrative phone line at the Timmins Police Service of 705-264-1201.

Should the situation arise where 9-1-1 is dialed in error or by accident ex – a pocket dial or a case of children playing with the phone, the appropriate thing to do is to stay on the line and explain the situation to the 9-1-1 call-taker.

Where a 9-1-1 call is received, and the caller simply hangs up, a police response will ensue in keeping with the public safety protocols in place to ensure the wellbeing of the caller.

Conversely, if a 9-1-1 hang up occurs or no voice can be heard on the line, an officer will be sent to the location of the call so that the caller’s state of being can be confirmed and that there is no legitimate emergency.

Additionally, in those instances where the 9-1-1 system is being abused or used as some form of misguided nuisance, the police may, depending on the circumstances or nature of an investigation, lay the appropriate Mischief charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.

The Timmins Police Service and other emergency services form a collective of community resources and irresponsible use of the 9-1-1 system is an unnecessary burden on these resources that should always and only be used when the need is genuine.

Filed under: Local News