National

List of B.C.'s worst 911 calls

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Dec, 2024 04:55 PM

British Columbia's emergency call service has released its annual list of the most unusual and inappropriate 911 calls, including complaints about overripe fruit and an overly fragrant neighbour.

E-Comm says it handles about 2 million calls a year but not all of them qualify as emergencies.

The 2024 list is topped by complaints about a neighbour wearing too much cologne, a stain left on a shirt by dry cleaners, and an unopened McDonald's restaurant.

9-1-What... ?!

Today, we’re sharing our annual list of the top 10 most unusual calls we've received in 2024 to help raise awareness about keeping 9-1-1 lines clear for real emergencies.

Discover our top 5 calls below & see the full list here: https://t.co/iXMDyRGI4c pic.twitter.com/2TqKZdmh66
— E-Comm 9-1-1 (@EComm911_info) December 30, 2024

Other inappropriate 911 calls included one to alert authorities of a purchase of 38 rotten avocados in a box, as well as another to report a "domestic-looking rabbit in a park" and one requesting help removing a wasp nest.

E-Comm says 911 lines should be reserved to report in-progress crimes or emergencies requiring immediate attention from police, fire or ambulance services.

The service says other unusual calls this year included requests for "technical support" and directions to a Shoppers Drug Mart.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Stabbing near White Rock Pier

Police in White Rock are looking for witnesses after a stabbing put a person in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. R-C-M-P say the stabbing happened late Sunday near WhiteRock Pier, and initial investigations indicate there was no confrontation before the attack.

Stabbing near White Rock Pier

B.C. to increase local milk production with $25-million factory investment

The British Columbia government is spending up to $25 million toward the construction of a milk production plant aimed at boosting the supply of locally sourced food products. The province says in a statement that the expansion to Vitalus Nutrition's plant in Abbotsford, B.C., will begin construction this summer and will increase local milk production by 50 per cent, to 1.4 billion litres annually.

B.C. to increase local milk production with $25-million factory investment

Trudeau announces $5B-loan guarantee program for Indigenous communities

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is offering $5 billion in loan guarantees to support Indigenous communities seeking ownership stakes in natural resource and energy projects. Trudeau says the program will help Indigenous peoples receive a fair share in Canada's economic growth.

Trudeau announces $5B-loan guarantee program for Indigenous communities

Baby lives after stroller hit and dragged by vehicle in Squamish

A baby in a stroller survived being struck and dragged for two blocks while it was lodged in the front of a vehicle in Squamish, B.C. Mounties say they received multiple calls that a vehicle had hit a pedestrian pushing a baby in the stroller at a crosswalk Monday night.

Baby lives after stroller hit and dragged by vehicle in Squamish

2 officers hurt in hit and run arrest

Police in North Vancouver says two officers were hurt last week as they tried to arrest a suspect in a hit-and-run. RCMP say they're now hoping for dash cam and surveillance footage to aid them in their investigation after a crash around 1 a-m on April 17 on the Dollarton Highway.

2 officers hurt in hit and run arrest

Police watchdog investigate death of a man in custody of Chilliwack RCMP

B-C’s police watchdog is investigating the death of a man while in the custody of Chilliwack R-C-M-P. Mounties say they were called yesterday afternoon to a report of a fight inside a vehicle sitting on a city street.