Reducing the number of 911 calls

St. Joseph County’s Central Dispatch is asking for help to reduce an increasing number of nuisance 911 calls placed by cell phones stored in pockets, purses and bags.

These 911 pocket dials calls usually result from an object depressing a key on the cell phone’s keyboard that is programmed to dial 911 in case of emergencies.

Most open-face phones have a keyboard lockout feature that requires a key press combination to unlock, but often still allows the single button 911 call to proceed. Central Dispatch officials suggest a pouch or phone case to prevent the inadvertent calling of 911.

Central Dispatch responds to dozen of these pocket dials every day and diligently investigates every call as if a true emergency was being reported.