If a child calls 911?

Question

There has been several stories in the news lately about children who call 911 and no one comes. I have small children and I have talked to her about this. But I'm worried she might call and not be able to say anything. She's 3. Is there requlations that state that someone has to come and check things out? If so how often are these regulations NOT followed?

Answer 1

At both departments I work at, if someone calls 911 and either hangs up suddenly or doesn't say anything at all, we send a patrol car over there and attempt callback. (I personally don't take someone's word for it when they say everything's okay. They could be in a bad situation where they can't talk.) You could call your local public safety department and ask them what their policy is. Most departments have a policy of sending someone to check it out. Hope you don't live in Detroit. They seem to have some serious customer service issues there.

Answer 2

My wife works in a 911 call centre. If a small child calls, the rules state that they have to ask the child if an adult or babysitter is present to talk to them.

If none is present or if they are calling in consideration of the caregiver, it will be a high priority dispatch to the residence. The call taker at 911 will stay on the phone with the youth until authorities arrive (unless a house is burning down) in which the youth will be asked to call back from a neighbors home.

Not every city has the exact same rules, but are fundamentaly similar. If the youth calls and finds the youth to be unsupervized you may find yourself in a whole world of trouble (unless you are the one tha requires attention).

The situations in which police are not dispatched are in cases where the youth has habitually called 911 in false pretense on more than 1 occasion (usually about 15-20 times). The parents were likely fined or charged and informed that 911 will only respond when an adult calls from your address from that point on.

Hope this sets your mind at ease.

Answer 3

911 interior the early days became only an instantaneous line to both a centralized call middle or to dispatch. back then it became not something more beneficial than calling a range. maximum places now have what's termed E-911 or more advantageous 911 for land traces. it particularly works very reminiscent of caller id, the communications operator receives a highway deal with of no matter if call got here from. now and again a house or a short highway might want to get over appeared and new structure might want to not be as a lot as date to the equipment, yet for the most area the decision middle is conscious the position the decision come from and has a decision back variety. cellular telephones contemporary yet another situation all mutually. the latest as a lot as date platforms with the latest as a lot as this element telephones provides dispatchers a longitude and variety GPS deal with. even if maximum police automobiles, fireplace automobiles, and ambulances wouldn't have a GPS in them. So the dispatcher has to translate the GPS coordinates right into a highway deal with. Then there is the actual undeniable reality that a cellular telephone of any age might want to be utilising a cellular tower outdoors the 911 section you're in. And therefore calling 911 you get yet another county dispatch than the position you're.

Answer 4

They don't always check when a small child calls 911 because there are so many cases when it's just the child playing with the phone. However if there are at least 2 hang up calls from a number they will immediately dispatch a unit if the dispatcher cannot get an answer when they try to call back.
Teach your daughter to call 911 and hang up, and call again, if your worried she will ever need to call 911 for you.

Answer 5

I'm pretty sure if any call to 911 is placed someone HAS to come check out whats happening at the place of the call. I know that I accidently dialed 911 for no reason once when I was just a lil' thing and the police came to my house to check things out.

The lack of reponse from the proper authorities in those situations in your news is very scary. But I doubt that happens too often...

Answer 6

Where I live (California) there is an automatic call back followed by a police dispatch if 911 is called and no one speaks.

I live in an area where if the police are sent out more than 2 times per month for false alarms you get charged. I believe its $175 per visit after the first 2 (free) false alarms.

Call your local police department and speak with them about their specific policies.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 7

by law they have to answer every 911 call that comes through. Even when no one says anything on the other end or if its just a hang up....dispatch has to send an officer out. It could be a elder that has fallen on the other end or someone in trouble that cant speak....you never know.

Answer 8

What I know is that if someone calls 911 and hangs up or says nothing, then the dispatcher is supposed to call them back and if they answer ask if everything is ok. If there is no answer then they are supposed to dispatch a car to the area.

Answer 9

Always followed that's the reason for 911. You should instruct your children on it's use and to always remain on the line, also shouldn't be used for jokes there are alot of stories about kids who saved their families because they knew what to do. Your job make sure they do.

Answer 10

they record where the call comes from, like a caller i.d. my experience has been, if you dont say anything or hang up, they will call back to find out if you need their assistance, still if you dont answer the phone, or answer it with out saying anything, still they will come.