By THOMAS CAYWOOD
Boston Herald (Massachusetts)
People dialing 911 for directions and sports scores or to vent about an unruly child are clogging emergency lines across the state, potentially crowding out life-and-death calls, 911 managers said.
“The dog ate my dentures. The kids won’t take a bath. Is Macy’s open?” Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Kenneth Fong said, reciting a list of actual 911 calls. “Is it cold out? Are meters free today? What time is it?”
Fong estimates between 50 percent and 80 percent of 911 calls in the city aren’t emergencies requiring an immediate police, fire or EMS response. With staffs stretched thin at most call centers, inappropriate calls are more than just a time-wasting irritant.
Full Story: http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=128172