(Grants Pass, OR) -- Android cell phones are accidentally making calls to 911. Dispatchers at the Josephine County 911 center say they've seen a 49% increase in hang-up calls compared to the same time last year. Dispatchers are required to call back and if the person doesn't answer, an officer is assigned to do a welfare check to make sure the person isn't hurt.
In most cases the callers say their phone was in a vehicle cup holder, their pocket, or purse. Android cell phones have a feature when the side button is pressed five times in rapid succession, the phone calls 911. Deactivating the feature does not prevent the person from calling 911.