The 911 system is supposed to be for emergencies.  As in: "I have a life-or-death emergency and I need help right away."  With that in mind, let me share with you some actual 911 calls I have received while working in the dispatch center of the Brookfield Police Department:

1. What time is it?

2. Is it raining there?

3. How do I get to Costco?

4. My garbage wasn't picked up today.  When will it be picked up?

5. What time does the basketball game at the high school start?

6. The light in my refrigerator isn't working.

7. Can you connect me with the police department in Sacramento, California?

8. Is the post office open today?

9. When will the snow plows be plowing High Ridge Road?

10. May I speak to the Governor?

11. My electricity is out.  When will it be back on?

12. What is the phone number for the police department?

13. My HBO isn't working.  Is there a cable outage?

14. My neighbor hasn't mowed his lawn in a while and the grass is really high.

The 911 system is supposed to be for emergencies.  As far as I know, there are two definitions for an emergency: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action; or an urgent need for assistance or relief.  I have a hard time seeing either of those in the above listed calls.

Of course, for a lot of people, it becomes an emergency instantly simply because it involves them.  If someone else's garbage hasn't been picked, that's no big deal.  But as soon as their garbage isn't picked up it is now an emergency.  I don't know what they think the police are going to do; it would make more sense to me to call the company that picks up their trash.  But that's just my opinion...