911 operators told a "bad man" is there
EAST BAY TOWNSHIP -- Authorities are looking into a group of prank 911 calls that came into the Grand Traverse County Dispatch Wednesday night.
The calls starting pouring in just before 8p.m. If you listen to the call, you can tell it's a child's voice saying, first, that there is a "bad man" and "bad guy". In other calls, the child told dispatch that they're having a heart attack.
Grand Traverse Metro Assistant Fire Chief Terry Flynn says, "We sent our units at the closest station. They responded, lights and sirens, anticipating a patient suffering from a heart attack."
The young callers gave dispatch several different addresses to send emergency crews. Grand Traverse County Dispatch Director, Jamel Anderson says dispatchers were able to pinpoint the location of the 911 calls to East Bay Calvary Church. If you listen closely to the tape, you can even hear a Sunday School class being taught in the background.
A Grand Traverse County Sheriff's deputy was sent to the church. When he arrived he told a group of kids to stop immediately.
Grand Traverse County Dispatch Director, Jamel Anderson says, " Unfortunately they didn't get the message and we received more calls."
In all, 14 calls were made within an hour. Anderson says taxpayers pay for the ambulance runs.
7&4 News asked East Bay Calvary Church officials if they're taking this matter seriously. They told us "no comment".
While the prosecutor hasn't received this case yet, he did tell 7&4 News that minors can be charged with misuse of emergency phone services, a misdemeanor offense.
