Don’t abuse the 10111 emergency line
Be responsible and don’t waste officers’ time, lives could be at stake.
SAPS officers are pleading with all community members to stop abusing the 10111 emergency line.
“We are the South African Police Service front-liners who are committed to every citizen’s safety as per our core function,” said Const Ntombikayise Ngcobo, the communications officer for the Germiston Flying Squad.
“We are serving an estimate of 14.7 million people in Gauteng.”
Ngcobo said that all communities, especially children, should be educated about the importance of the 10111 emergency line.
“We are receiving a high volume of abusive, hoax and prank calls that are made by both children and adults.
“This type of behaviour is making it difficult for the public who need police assistance urgently to get help,” said Ngcobo.
“The SAPS condemns such behaviour because it may even cost lives.
“When the public calls the emergency number responsibly lives will be saved, more crimes will be prevented and more suspects will be arrested.”
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At the Gauteng 10111 Command Centre members are at the service of the community 24-hours a day.
“Everyone must ensure that they only call the 10111 emergency line when they are in danger (life threatening situation), witness a crime, see something suspicious or someone possibly committing an offence.
“Our call operators and call dispatchers will ensure that every complaint is registered and dispatched to be attended,” said Ngcobo.
“We have also realised that there are people who call the emergency line several times a day reporting the same incident.
“It is a crime to abuse 10111.
“Use it responsibly.
“When you call the emergency number try to be calm, speak clearly and slowly for the telephone operator to assist you faster.
“Give the telephone operator your contact number, full address where the incident is happening, the type of incident and if possible provide the description of the nearest landmarks such as post office, shops or clinic especially where there are no proper addresses.
“Our members will attend to all the complaints as soon as possible.”
She added that when police officers follow-up on numerous calls which have been made for the same number they are often told by parents that the child was playing with the phone.
Parents are urged to make sure their children do not phone 10111 for fun while they are playing.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za.
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