Top 10 dumb 911 calls of 2024: My neighbour wears too much cologne

B.C.'s E-Comm has released its list of the 10 most frivolous and misdirected 'emergency' calls of the year

Published Dec 30, 2024  •  Last updated 4 hours ago  •  2 minute read

Call takers at work at the E-Comm offices in Metro Vancouver. Photo by E-Comm

If your avocados have gone off, don’t call 911. Duh.

Article content

Article content

It sounds obvious, but B.C.’s E-Comm got just such a complaint this year, one of many that divert their attention from real emergencies and threaten to put the people experiencing them at risk.

“We understand that some of these situations might feel urgent to the individual in the moment, but 911 is not the appropriate number to call if your power goes out or you require tech support,” says E-Comm call taker Laura (the agency does not provide surnames of its call takers).

Article content

“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 911 is time we could be getting help to someone in a life-threatening emergency.”

E-Comm handles about two million 911 calls every year, and the vast majority are serious and require an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance. Some others, not so much.

Here are the emergency dispatch agency’s top 10 calls of 2024 that did NOT belong on 911:

1. The dry cleaners stained their shirt.

2. McDonald’s wouldn’t open their doors.

3. They wanted directions to a 24/7 Shoppers Drug Mart.

4. They complained the power was out.

5. They were requesting technical support.

6. The box of 38 avocados they purchased were rotten.

7. They left their phone in an Uber.

8. They wanted help removing a wasp’s nest.

9. There was a domesticated-looking bunny in the park.

10. Their neighbour was wearing too much cologne.

“Most people do use 911 responsibly, and we absolutely want the public to call for help when they need it in an emergency,” says call taker Kuzivakwashe.

Article content

“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.”

Here are some reminders about how to use 911 properly:

• 911 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required, meaning someone’s health, safety or property is in jeopardy or a crime is in progress.

• Know your location at all times.

• Don’t program 911 into any phone.

• If you call 911 accidentally, stay on the line and let them know.

• Lock and store your cellphone carefully to prevent accidental 911 calls.

• Don’t text or tweet 911.

Call takers can’t transfer your non-emergency call from 911. Visit nonemergency.ca for a list of alternative resources for reporting non-emergency matters to police or the appropriate agency.

[email protected]

Recommended from Editorial

1. 

   Updates on our top 10 stories of 2024

2. 

   B.C. SPCA's most heartwarming rescues of the year

Article content