By Bob Stiles
Tribune-Review,
GREENSBURG, Pa. — Authorities withdrew charges Tuesday against a Penn Township man who had been accused of calling 911 several times “because he was lonely,” his attorney said.
Gregory L. Shaffer, 52, had been scheduled to appear before township District Judge Helen Kistler for a preliminary hearing on a charge of false alarm to agency of public service.
“The necessary evaluations were undertaken to satisfy the authorities that Greg would not do something like this in the future,” attorney Michael Sherman said. “Greg is truly sorry for what happened.”
He indicated that Shaffer has made changes in his life.
In September, township police charged Shaffer with making calls to Westmoreland County Emergency Management dispatchers three times on July 30.
Shaffer called dispatchers at 4:20 p.m. and said he needed help because he had fallen down stairs. Shaffer was intoxicated and waiting at his home when authorities arrived, police said.
Two hours after that call, Shaffer called 911 again, and dispatchers transferred the call to police, according to court papers. At that point, Shaffer admitted he had called because he was lonely, police said.
Patrolman Joseph Lewis reported he told Shaffer that 911 was only to be used in emergencies.
At 8:34 p.m., Shaffer called 911 a third time, telling dispatchers he wanted to be taken to a hospital emergency room.
“He said he just wants someone to talk to because he is lonely,” Lewis stated in an affidavit. “(Shaffer) informed me that he lied to 911 so paramedics would show up.”
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©2015 Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.)