Recently here in Western Australia we’ve been urged to remember a new police telephone number as the local constabulary tries to convince us not to call the emergency number unless it’s a matter of life and death. Our 000 emergency number is getting choked with general police matters so we’re being asked to call 131 444 for any non-urgent police matters.
It seems that police in New Zealand are facing the same battle. They estimate that only 10 per cent of the 2.4 million calls made to New Zealand’s emergency number every year are genuine emergencies.
In one recent incident, a New Zealand bride dialled the emergency line because her wedding dress was stained with oil just before her marriage ceremony. Obviously, while the bride would have considered that an emergency, it wasn’t a matter of life or death.
Mind you, if she found out who stained her dress with oil, there may well be a need to call the emergency number.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
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Was the bride fined? Has there been any kind of process involved (other than the new number) to curb those who are using the emergency number for non emergencies? Interesting post.
The funny thing is that 000 is operated in the Eastern states… WA doesn’t actually have a 000 call centre. That’s why, when you really do call 000, you need to say you’re in Western Australia (advisably tell them 3 times during the call). Otherwise your ambulance to Armadale will go to ‘Armidale NSW’. Police will be looking in Kensignton SA for the gunman holding you hostage in Kensington WA. And they’ll just think it’s a crank caller if you say you’re in Innaloo. 🙂