North Vancouver RCMP warn of misdial 911 calls due to SOS feature

Two North Vancouver RCMP cruisers parked next to one another facing both directions
FILE - North Vancouver RCMP cruisers. (CityNews Image)

By The Canadian Press

Posted May 20, 2023 10:59 am.

Last Updated May 20, 2023 11:03 am.

Mounties in North Vancouver are suggesting people consider deactivating an SOS feature on their phones after receiving an overwhelming number of dropped 911 calls last weekend.

The North Vancouver RCMP says only 91 of more than 400 calls were real emergencies and the rest were misdials, most commonly sent unknowingly from the emergency feature Apple and Android automatically installed on devices.

Related articles: 

A device may automatically dial 911 if the side button is pressed five times in a row, if it gets wet, if you shake it several times, or if the power and volume button are pressed together.

Police say misdials caused a backlog for 911 dispatchers and police officers, not only in North Vancouver but throughout the Lower Mainland.

Submit a Correction
Accessibility Feedback

Top Stories

Potential unmarked graves identified at former residential school in central B.C.
Potential unmarked graves identified at former residential school in central B.C.

The chief of a B.C. First Nation says potential unmarked graves have been identified at site of the former Lejac Indian Residential School.

17m ago

Students push to equip high schools with AEDs
Students push to equip high schools with AEDs

Tobias Zhang says his high school and the VSB have denied a request to have an AED installed in the school, but he intends to keep pushing.

3h ago

SFU students call out harassment on campus
SFU students call out harassment on campus

Students at Simon Fraser University are coming forward about a group of youths verbally harassing students.

22m ago

B.C. Métis Nation votes to withdraw immediately from Métis National Council
B.C. Métis Nation votes to withdraw immediately from Métis National Council

Members of the Métis Nation British Columbia have voted to leave the national organization, the Métis National Council, effective immediately.

1h ago

Top Stories

Potential unmarked graves identified at former residential school in central B.C.
Potential unmarked graves identified at former residential school in central B.C.

The chief of a B.C. First Nation says potential unmarked graves have been identified at site of the former Lejac Indian Residential School.

17m ago

Students push to equip high schools with AEDs
Students push to equip high schools with AEDs

Tobias Zhang says his high school and the VSB have denied a request to have an AED installed in the school, but he intends to keep pushing.

3h ago

SFU students call out harassment on campus
SFU students call out harassment on campus

Students at Simon Fraser University are coming forward about a group of youths verbally harassing students.

22m ago

B.C. Métis Nation votes to withdraw immediately from Métis National Council
B.C. Métis Nation votes to withdraw immediately from Métis National Council

Members of the Métis Nation British Columbia have voted to leave the national organization, the Métis National Council, effective immediately.

1h ago

Most Watched Today

2:29
Surrey transitions from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service
Surrey transitions from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service

The long-awaited day has finally arrived as the City of Surrey gave the reins to its new municipal police service Friday morning. Joe Sadowski reports.

21h ago

1:43
Protests block access to Deltaport
Protests block access to Deltaport

Traffic to a major Metro Vancouver container port terminal was restored after being disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters for hours. Jack Morse has the story.

21h ago

2:41
Students push to equip Vancouver high schools with AEDs
Students push to equip Vancouver high schools with AEDs

After the death of their friend two years ago, some Vancouver students are calling for all high schools to be equipped with life-saving AEDs.

20h ago

3:11
SFU students are calling out harassment on campus
SFU students are calling out harassment on campus

Students at SFU say they are being harassed repeatedly by a group of local youths. They are calling on the university to do more about it. Lauren Stallone reports.

21h ago

2:15
Volunteer food recovery organization calls for more drivers
Volunteer food recovery organization calls for more drivers

As the holiday season approaches, the Vancouver Food Runners are looking for more volunteers to help fight food insecurity. Cecilia Hua joins a volunteer for a ride-along.

More Videos