Windsor police have joined law enforcement agencies across Ontario for a campaign on the do's and don'ts of calling 911.
The "When Every Second Counts" campaign is designed to teach the public the proper use of the emergency number, and discourage using it for non-emergency calls.
"The 911 line is for life-threatening or urgent emergencies, yet we continue to see calls made for reasons ranging from minor inconveniences to non-emergency situations that can be handled through other channels," said Windsor Police's Emergency 911 Centre Director Laura Smith. "Calls for lost items, noise complaints, or even pocket dials take time away from real emergencies. It’s critical that we ensure 911 lines remain open for those in urgent need for police, fire or ambulance."
Windsor's 911 dispatchers took about 120,000 calls in 2024, with roughly 17,000 of them being non-emergencies or "butt dial" calls.
Police have reminded people not to call 911 to get traffic updates, complain about service at businesses, resolve disputes with neighbours, or get sports scores.
"By participating in this campaign, we are helping to provide education on when to call 911 and when to use non-emergency numbers, so that emergency services remain available for those who truly need them," said Windsor Police Superintendent of Patrol Response Jill Lawrence.
Windsor police's non-emergency line is (519) 258-6111.
Tips on when to call 911 and when not to can be found on the official Windsor police website.