Misuse of emergency calls in MV: Police under pressure – Schwaner case causes excitement

Misuse of emergency calls in MV: Police under pressure – Schwaner case causes excitement

On the night of April 1, 2025, an excited caller reported a threat to a guesthouse in Schwaan via emergency number 110. The police rushed to the scene with flashing lights and sirens. Surprisingly, however, officers on site found no evidence of a threat. The caller, a 44-year-old from Güstrow, was located and presented himself to the police as clueless. He later admitted that there had been no threat. As a result, the case was classified as emergency call abuse, which is of course a serious matter.

Again Uckermark courier reports, it's about more than just a moment of shock for the police. In 2024, a total of 122,165 emergency calls were answered at Rostock police headquarters, which corresponds to around 330 calls per day. This included more than 220 fake emergency calls that distracted security forces from real emergencies. This number makes it clear that emergency call misuse is not only annoying, but also has serious consequences for the entire population.

The consequences of emergency call misuse

The police have a responsibility to provide quick and effective assistance in real emergencies. However, if someone like Güstrower misuses an emergency call, not only do costs arise, but lives can also be put at risk. This is not a trivial offense. Section 145 of the Criminal Code makes it clear that the misuse of emergency calls is punishable. The law stipulates a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine for such offenses.

Things could get serious for the Güstrower. It is currently being examined whether he has to pay for the costs of the police operation. An investigation has also been initiated and is being processed by the criminal police. The incident is not an isolated incident. Another emergency call reporting a fight between eight people in Güstrow also turned out to be false. Here the caller did not respond to calls, which made the investigation even more difficult.

But what do we know about the misuse of emergency calls? A quick look at the statistics shows that such incidents have been increasingly recorded in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in recent years. In 2022 the numbers were 394 cases and in 2021 there were 371 cases. While there was an increase in the Rostock police headquarters, a slight decrease was noted in the Neubrandenburg police headquarters. Nevertheless, the problem remains and requires constant sensitization of society.

A call to reason

We must realize that behind every emergency call there are real people with real concerns. Abuse can seriously endanger the life of a bystander, as the example of the Güstrower impressively shows. Such acts, often referred to as “swatting,” tread on dangerous territory where fun and serious support are far apart.

We would like to appeal to all readers: think carefully before picking up the phone and making an emergency call. Real emergencies should always come first, because in an emergency every second counts!