Police say a man accidentally dialed 911 while he and a buddy were breaking into a car, unknowingly leading Fresno, Calif., officers right to their location.
A pocket dial, also known as a butt dial, is a call made unintentionally by a mobile phone that is accidentally activated while in someone's pocket or bag.
A suspect may pocket dial 911 during a car break-in because their phone may have been in their pocket or bag while they were committing the crime, and the emergency call was made unintentionally.
Yes, pocket dials can be prevented by locking your phone before putting it in your pocket or bag, or by using a phone case with a lock feature.
When 911 receives a pocket dial, they will attempt to make contact with the caller to confirm if there is an actual emergency. If they are unable to make contact, they may dispatch emergency services to the location of the call.
It is not illegal to pocket dial 911, but it can be considered a misuse of emergency services. It is important to be mindful of your phone's settings and take precautions to prevent pocket dials.