This morning around 3am ET, a wireless Amber Alert was sent out to devices in the Greater Toronto Area searching for a missing grandfather and his two young grandchildren.
Constable Andy Pattenden of the York Regional Police told media some people were not pleased to be woken up at 3am with wireless alerts and called 911 to complain about it.
Some callers were “abusive” and “very rude”, according to police as per TV video reporter, @JeremyCohnTV.
Pattenden says as police officers, they work 24 hours a day and they have the “utmost concern when children are involved.”
The wireless Amber Alert proved to be successful after it was sent out early Thursday morning.
According to Toronto Police, “9-1-1 is for emergencies only. Following the @YRP #AmberAlert, 2 children & their grandfather were located. However, we have been receiving dozens of complaint calls. Please do not block 9-1-1 lines with non-emergencies, as you are risking the health & safety of others.”
9-1-1 is for emergencies only. Following the @YRP #AmberAlert, 2 children & their grandfather were located. However, we have been receiving dozens of complaint calls. Please do not block 9-1-1 lines with non-emergencies, as you are risking the health & safety of others. ^adc
— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) July 11, 2019
The Alert Ready system sends out wireless alerts to specific regions to compatible devices connected to LTE networks. It is not possible to opt out of wireless alerts, unless you turn off your device, disable LTE or turn on Airplane Mode.
The CRTC recently announced wireless emergency alerts will now take place publicly twice per year, instead of just one time.
