An Ajax, Ontario, man was arrested and charged on March 8, 2026, after police say he repeatedly called 911 for reasons that were not emergencies.
The Durham Regional Police Service arrested 24-year-old Devon Riley Real after he allegedly made about 24 calls to emergency dispatchers in a single afternoon. He has been charged with mischief and harassment through repeated telecommunications.
Officers first went to a home near Harwood Avenue South and Station Street around 6:35 p.m. to help an ambulance crew. While at the scene, they gave the man a formal warning that continuing to call the emergency line for non-emergencies would lead to criminal charges.
According to investigators, the man continued to call the 911 dispatch line despite the warning. The series of calls occurred between 3:50 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., after which officers returned to the home and took the man into custody without any issues.
Police say that every unnecessary call to 911 takes up valuable time that should be used for people in life-threatening situations. The charges serve as a reminder to the community that the emergency system is strictly for those who need immediate, life-saving assistance.
