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Erroneous 9-1-1 calls putting lives at risk: policeBy Jeremy Grimaldioperators.onds, but other times our operators go toan hour are attributed to pocket dials.METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUPStaff Sgt. Kevin Maher, communica-great lengths to make sure that there is noThat number is growing and I wouldtions manager for the force, said in an emergency.say it will eventually become our biggest.Halton police have been inundated by emergency every second counts, meaning He said for every erroneous call thatsSome of his suggestions to avoid mak-nearly 11,000 false 9-1-1 calls over the operators dont have time to track down looked into, acting on another one coulding erroneous emergency calls includepast four months.people who sit on their phones and acci-be delayed by vital seconds. taking SIM cards out of phones before giv-About 4,000 of those originate from the dentally call police.Maher estimated out of the 10,984 falseing them to children or not allowing chil-increasingly ubiquitous pocket dials, After a call we will keep investigating calls into 9-1-1, a third were due to pocketdren to make phone calls and removingwhich police say are putting lives in jeop-until we are satisfied that its not an emer-dials, a third was attributed to children9-1-1 from the speed dial.ardy and becoming a major headache for gency, he said. That can take two sec-playing with parents cell phones andMaher said people also need to betteranother third were from people who mis-familiarize themselves with the use of thedialed or intended to dial 311 or 411 forline for emergency calls only.Shriners host drug abuse speaker Feb. 16information.He cited surprising instances whereHowever, the greatest current concernsomeone called 9-1-1 to ask if he was ableArea resident Bill Robinson will hold aThe presentation will be held at Mos is for the pocket dials.to park on a certain street and anotherpresentation, on Wednesday, Feb. 16, titledFamily Restaurant, at 467 Speers Rd., start-The problem is getting worse, not bet-called to ask if the roads were safe for himA Fathers Story Opioid Drug Misuse and ing at 8 p.m.ter, he said. I would say about five callsto travel on during a recent snowfall.Addiction for the Oakville Shrine Club andThe Oakville Shrine Club meeting starts anyone who wishes to attend.at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 7 p.m.The presentation will discuss the deathResidents who wish to attend this dinner Rock Symphony to benefit White Oaks music programsof Robinsons son James, who died of a drugmay do so for $25.overdose last year, and the threat posed byRobinson requests those who plan to The Led Zeppelin tribute band Theradio personality.the misuse of drugs like OxyContin.attend RSVP at bill@billrobinson.ca.White is teaming up with the White OaksThe resulting partnership between the High School orchestra to benefit theyouth orchestra and the rock ensemble schools music department.sets out to create a symphony of rock.The concert, titled Orchestral Zeppelin,Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show Gas Fireplace Repairwill feature the band, fronted by Michaelruns 7-10 p.m. Tickets to the all ages show Security, HearthStone, Montigo, Lennox,We Service:CFM, DRU,GSW,Hunter,White, performing with the students onare $30.Temco, Kingsman, Polaris, Heritage,Insta-Flame,Valor, Napoleon,Regency,Drolet, Continental,VermountCasting,stage. The concert takes place on Friday,The school is located at 1330 Montclair Majestic, Heat-N-Glo, Heatilator,Osbourne & many otherbrands.Feb. 4 at the school.Dr.SolvingSelkrik, GTI, Dovre, PacificEnergy,Town &Country,PWhite is a California-born, Toronto-For tickets and information, visit www.roblems905-845-0701Since 82!based rock musician, showman and Q107ticketbreak.com/venue_details/1062.Experienceis theDifference!x.caDo you have a great digital photograph of a special place in Oakville?Have you ever dreamt of havingyour work published?NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!Be featured in the SPECIAL 30THANNIVERSARY EDITION OFTHE OAKVILLE BEAVERCOMMUNITY GUIDEYour photo may appear as our coverof this annual publicationPlease submit no more than three of your best images in jpeg format to hrollo@oakvillebeaver.com before Wednesday, February 9, 2011Supported by Oakville BeaverSubmission of photo is considered permission to publish in this exclusive magazinewww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, February 3, 2011 12