Alert Ready phone messages from Ontario prompt complaints in Winnipeg

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This article was published 15/02/2019 (2425 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg police are telling the public not to call 911 to complain about getting an Alert Ready on their cellphone.

In a statement, police said when an alert is sent out to either a person’s phone, television or radio, all they have to do is listen or read it, and take any action needed.

“If it is not relevant to you, disregard the notification. Do not contact your local police service unless directed to do so.”

The statement comes in the wake of complaints received by Peel Regional Police on 911 after an amber alert was sent out — for a child later found slain — on Thursday close to midnight.

“Many people were upset with the fact that they received the notification, tying up our emergency call takers and potentially preventing legitimate emergency calls from getting through.”

Alert Ready allows the authorities to send out warnings not only about amber alerts, but also others including natural disasters, terrorist threats, civil emergencies, and urban fires.