E-Comm releases annual top ten reasons NOT to call 9-1-1
Whether you’re looking for a 24/7 pharmacy, dissatisfied with your dry cleaning or offended by your neighbour’s cologne – general questions, consumer complaints and lifestyle grievances do not belong on 9-1-1.
E-Comm, which handles approximately two million 9-1-1 calls per year, has released its annual list of top ten unusual calls that were received by emergency police call takers at E-Comm in 2024, in order to raise awareness of the importance of keeping 9-1-1 lines for emergencies only.
“We understand that some of these situations might feel urgent to the individual in the moment, but 9-1-1 is not the appropriate number to call if your power goes out or you require tech support,” says E-Comm Police Call Taker Laura. “We must treat every call as an emergency until we know otherwise and each second we spend responding to a call that does not belong on 9-1-1 is time we could be getting help to someone in a life-threating emergency.”
Top 10 List of Calls that did NOT belong on 9-1-1 in 2024
- Their neighbour was wearing too much cologne
- The dry cleaners stained their shirt
- McDonald’s wouldn’t open their doors
- They wanted directions to a 24/7 Shoppers Drug Mart
- Complaining the power was out
- Requesting technical support
- The box of 38 avocados they purchased were rotten
- They left their phone in an Uber
- Requesting help removing a wasp nest
- There was a domesticated-looking bunny in the park
E-Comm is asking everyone to do their part by helping keep 9-1-1 lines free for in-progress crimes or emergencies that require immediate help from police, fire or ambulance only.
“Most people do use 9-1-1 responsibly, and we absolutely want the public to call for help when they need it in an emergency,” says Police Call Taker Kuzivakwashe. “By directing your non-urgent calls to the appropriate resources such as your local police non-emergency line, you are helping to ensure our call takers are available for real emergency situations.”
Tips on proper use of 9-1-1
9‑1‑1 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required: someone’s health, safety or property is in jeopardy or a crime is in progress.
- Know your location at all times
- Don’t program 9‑1‑1 into any phone
- If you call 9‑1‑1 accidentally, stay on the line and let us know
- Lock and store your cellphone carefully to prevent accidental 9-1-1 calls
- Do not text or tweet 9-1-1
- Call takers cannot transfer your non-emergency call from 9-1-1, nonemergency.ca for a list of alternate resources for reporting non-emergency matters
Interview Opportunity
E-Comm is hosting media availabilities at each of its communications centres.
- Monday, December 30, 9:00am—1:00pm, Lower Mainland Centre, 3301 East Pender Street, Vancouver
- Tuesday, December 31, 9:00am—1:00pm, South Island Centre, 4219 Commerce Circle, Victoria
Interviews will be available with police call takers who can speak to their experience and the importance of protecting B.C.’s critical emergency resources.
Interviews must be confirmed in advance at [email protected]
B-Roll, photos and call taker sound bites are available for download here.
Media contact
Kelly Furey
Media Relations Specialist
604-215-6248
[email protected]
About E-Comm
E-Comm is the first point of contact for 9-1-1 callers in 25 regional districts in British Columbia and provides dispatch services for more than 70 police agencies and fire departments across the province. E‐Comm also owns and operates the largest multi‐jurisdictional, tri‐service, wide‐area radio network in the province used by police, fire and ambulance personnel throughout Metro Vancouver and parts of the Fraser Valley.