911 service changes get green light from cabinet

The province is moving forward withchanges to the Island's 911 service in an effort to cut down on unnecessary calls and make it easier for first responders to deliver service.

This week, cabinet approved a number of changes to the Emergency 911 Act.

• P.E.I. to fine 911 pocket dialers

Private alarm companies now must send their calls directly to local emergency services rather than to 911. The move is aimed at cutting down the number of false alarms the 911 service has to deal with.

Police also now have the authority to issue summary offence ticketson site foras much as $500 to people who make false or prank calls to 911, rather than having to go to court first.

Another modificationrequires any address, road name, or sign to be changed if found to be a public safety issue.

In a release, Premier Wade MacLauchlan said the Island 911 service handles on average 30,000 calls every year.