Free Republic

A Fort Myers man was arrested for allegedly misusing the 911 system to get police to repair his broken cell phone, according to Fort Myers Police reports. Police responded Sunday evening to a home on William Street in reference to numerous 911 calls coming from a cell phone at that address. According to reports, the man was calling 911 because the phone was disconnected and he wanted police to have his cell phone turned on. The 911 operators told the man an officer was on his way, but he refused to hang up to free up the line for emergency...

Nehls said his department was growing frustrated by a rise in unwarranted calls to 911, including a recent one from a young man who called to report that his grandfather was cheating at cards. "We encourage citizens to use 911 for vehicle crashes, EMS, domestic disturbances, and reporting erratic drivers," Nehls said.