Law enforcement sees increase in hang-up calls

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office and the Belvidere/Boone County Communications Center (BBCC) are asking for assistance from the community regarding the recent increase in 911 hang-up and misdial calls coming into the Communications Center.

Since the beginning of January there has been over a 200% increase in 911 hang-up calls alone, and an almost 300% increase this past month of May 2023 as opposed to May of 2022. We must follow up on every single one, and send emergency resources if we are unable to confirm there is no emergency.

The obvious consequence is that responses to emergencies can be delayed due to deputies’ response to accidental dials. If you do accidentally call 911, stay on the line and verify all information. Do not hang up.

Some of this has may be attributed to software updates on Android phones where the SOS feature is automatically turned on with the update. We have found that causes of the misdials are as simple as pocket dial, the phone bouncing around too much in a vehicle or ATV/UTV, a hard drop of the phone, etc.

Most smartphones and watches have Emergency SOS features that may be activated by pressing the volume or power buttons multiple times (depending on the operating system or phone). If you would like to deactivate those features, follow the steps below.

Android:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.

2. Tap safety & emergency Emergency SOS.

3. Turn off Use Emergency SOS.

iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > Emergency SOS.

2. Turn “Call with Hold and Release” off.

3. Turn “Call with 5 presses” off.

Apple Watch:

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, then tap the My Watch tab.

2. Tap Emergency SOS.

3. Turn off Hold Side Button to Dial.