With our former calling pattern (9 + 1 +  Area Code + Number) you needed to be extra careful.  Misdialing has caused frequent mistaken calls to 911 emergency response.  When you are dialing off-campus there should never be two 1 (ones) following the leading 9. 

The misdialing generally happens when calling toll free numbers, 1-800-567-8970.  The 800 is actually the area code, and in our dialing pattern the 1 is already included.  So you would have dialed 9-1-800-567-8970. If you dial an extra “1”, 9-1-1-800-567-8970, you will be connected to Emergency Response (Cornelius Police Station) before you even finish dialing.

The emergency center must remain open for true emergency calls.  When a 911 call is placed, an officer must be dispatched to the location to investigate.  If you do accidentally dial 911, please do not hang up. Instead, tell them that you accidentally dialed them and it is not an emergency. 

If you do hang-up, please dial 911 immediately and give them your extension number and tell them it is not an emergency and they do not have to investigate further.