One AMBER Alert in Ottawa and another in Toronto prompted hundreds of 911 calls from residents angry about being disturbed by the alerts. Police in both cities urged citizens to stop tying up the emergency lines to make complaints. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even issued a statement supporting AMBER Alerts to protect the safety of children.
Police in Ottawa sent an AMBER Alert at 11:30 p.m. on February 14 for an 11-year-old girl who was later found murdered. Residents called 911 and posted on social media how upset they were because the alert disturbed their sleep. A citizen tip helped police to capture the suspect. Most of the complaints were deleted from social media after numerous residents said they should be ashamed of themselves. “Losing a few minutes of sleep is nothing compared to the hell this family and those trying to help had to go through,” wrote one person.