A Florida woman, Helen Alberta Thompson, was recently arrested for repeatedly misusing the 911 emergency system, according to law enforcement officials.
Thompson, 60, is facing charges in Marion County for allegedly calling 911 over 30 times last year, often for non-emergency reasons. The latest incident involved a complaint about knee pain, which she reported to the Dunnellon Police Department as a medical emergency... Continue reading here ▶
On December 31, 2024, around 3:30 p.m., police were dispatched to Thompson’s residence in Dunnellon, about 25 miles east of Ocala, after the local Fire and Rescue team requested assistance due to suspected misuse of the emergency service.
Police records indicate that Thompson is known for her frequent, inappropriate use of 911. When officers arrived at her apartment, they found her waiting outside for an ambulance.
She told the officer that her knee was hurting and she needed an x-ray, as suggested by her doctor. However, she admitted she was advised not to call 911 for this issue and acknowledged her knee pain was not an emergency. Lacking transportation and without any friends to help, she resorted to calling 911 for a ride.
An EMT who was familiar with Thompson confirmed she had previously called 911 twelve times in six months for non-emergency situations. Due to her history, law enforcement now automatically responds whenever she calls 911.
Thompson had been warned five months prior about the consequences of misusing 911 after officers responded to a similar call. At that time, she had already made more than 20 such calls in less than six months.
After her arrest, Thompson spent a brief time in Marion County Jail and was released the next day on a personal recognizance bond.
She has entered a not guilty plea and is being represented by a public defender, reflecting her financial situation. Her arraignment took place on a Wednesday afternoon.
