Two teens charged after 'misleading call' to 911: police

The Sûreté du Québec’s (SQ) internet-based communications system went down at all 11 call centres from 10:02 a.m. to 10:52 a.m., affecting 911 calls that came in. (Source: Pexels)

Waterloo Regional Police have charged two teens after they made a misleading call to 911 about an alleged stabbing at a Kitchener park.

On Sunday at 7:20 a.m., police said they received a report of a stabbing that had taken place in Victoria Park.

“Through extensive investigation, it was determined that the alleged stabbing did not take place and that the call to police was made intentionally to initiate a response from emergency services,” police said in a media release.

A 13-year-old and a 14-year-old, both from Waterloo, were arrested and charged with public mischief.

Police are reminding the public to only call 911 if there is an “an immediate risk to the safety of people or property.”

“This service quickly links callers to Police, Fire and/or Ambulance Services. When a citizen calls 9-1-1, the goal is to ensure the appropriate Emergency Service responds as quickly as possible. When misused, it ties up resources that may be needed at other serious and life-threatening incidents,” police said.