Advisory
Abandoned 911 Calls
The Janesville Police Department and the Rock county Communications Center (RCCC) would like assistance from the community addressing phone etiquette. We would like to remind you to secure your phones when not in use. Rock County Communications routinely receives abandoned 911 calls from cell phones.
During the month of May the Janesville Police Department received 914 abandoned 911 calls (approximately 29/day) from the RCCC. During the first 4 days of June JPD have received 174 abandoned 911 calls (approximately 43/day).
In many of these cases, the calls are the result of a pocket dial, an accidental dial or a child playing with the phone. As an example, dispatchers have heard lawn mowers running, the sounds of pockets swishing, or children playing outside.
Each time a call to 911 is made, a dispatcher takes the call and has to evaluate what is happening. They attempt to identify the caller or listen for background noise to determine if it is a real emergency. The dispatcher checks prior calls for service if they cannot get the caller back on the line. This all takes time. The 911 line is for emergency use, and these calls impede normal 911 calls. We want to thank you for taking some time to secure your phones when not in use.
Abandoned 911 Calls 
| Abandoned 911 Calls |
During the month of May the Janesville Police Department received 914 abandoned 911 calls (approximately 29/day) from the RCCC. During the first 4 days of June JPD have received 174 abandoned 911 calls (approximately 43/day).
In many of these cases, the calls are the result of a pocket dial, an accidental dial or a child playing with the phone. As an example, dispatchers have heard lawn mowers running, the sounds of pockets swishing, or children playing outside.
Each time a call to 911 is made, a dispatcher takes the call and has to evaluate what is happening. They attempt to identify the caller or listen for background noise to determine if it is a real emergency. The dispatcher checks prior calls for service if they cannot get the caller back on the line. This all takes time. The 911 line is for emergency use, and these calls impede normal 911 calls. We want to thank you for taking some time to secure your phones when not in use.
| By: Lieutenant Mike Blaser |
| Date: 2023-06-05 |
| Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3:6 Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. |
Address/Location
Janesville Police Department
100 N Jackson St
Janesville, WI 53548
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 608-755-3100