British Columbia 911 Operators Urge Public to Avoid Non-Emergency Calls

In British Columbia, emergency dispatch service E-Comm has issued a reminder to the public about the appropriate use of the 911 emergency line. In 2025, a number of callers misused the service for non-emergency situations, prompting E-Comm to clarify what constitutes a real emergency.

The provincial dispatch service compiled a list of the top ten unusual reasons for calling 911, which included complaints about haircuts and issues with air fryer returns. E-Comm emphasizes that 911 should be reserved for urgent situations requiring immediate assistance from police, fire, or ambulance services.

E-Comm’s annual report revealed that some of the most unusual calls received throughout the year included complaints about luggage exceeding airline carry-on limits and a dishwasher malfunction. Other notable calls involved requests for help in removing hornets from apartments and grievances about parking violations involving electric vehicle charging stations.

E-Comm’s police call taker, Bailey Mitchell, stated, “No matter how absurd a call might be on the surface, we have to treat every 911 call as an emergency, until we can confidently determine otherwise.” This highlights the critical need to keep emergency lines open for those truly in need.

E-Comm hopes that by sharing this list, residents will better understand the importance of using 911 appropriately. The service aims to keep the lines available for genuine emergencies, where every second counts.

Top 10 Unusual Reasons for Calling 911 in 2025

1. Luggage exceeded carry-on limits
2. Walmart refused to return an air fryer
3. Broken dishwasher
4. Parking complaints at Starbucks
5. Non-electric car parked at an EV charging station
6. Complaints about traffic
7. Locked out of an Airbnb
8. Left an iPad at the SkyTrain station
9. Need help with a hornet in the apartment
10. Unhappy with a haircut

The misuse of emergency services poses a significant challenge, as it diverts critical resources from those in dire need. E-Comm has reiterated that any non-emergency matters should be directed to appropriate customer service lines or local authorities.

As British Columbia continues to grow, it is essential for residents to utilize available resources wisely and respect the emergency services designed to protect public safety.