CAPE CORAL, Fla., -- One caller made two false reports to Cape Coral Police. The calls forced officers to a scene only to learn the reports were completely fake.
“When you think you’re being funny or playing a prank on somebody, you’re really putting other people at risk," said Dana Coston, public affairs officer for the Cape Coral Police Department.
According to the CCPD, the department received a report there was a shooting near Four Freedom's Park on Cape Coral Parkways around 6 p.m. Wednesday evening. When multiple officers showed up, they found a shooting never happened.
Just five hours later, the same number called again reporting a house burglary involving guns. When officers reported to the scene, the house was abandoned with no signs of a break-in. Coston says the fake calls left police feeling frustrated, especially with limited resources.
“We don’t have unlimited resources to deal with every problem that comes," explained Coston.
Coston says in a growing city like Cape Coral, the department has already been asking for additional officers from city council. He says the fake calls do not help the force. Nearby neighbors say fake calls, pull police away from those that really need them, even possibly creating a trend.
“There’s going to be more copycats doing it if they think it’s funny," said Dennis Drosos, a former police officer. "You’re tying up resources. You’re taking the police away from what they need to be doing.”
Cape Coral Police say they haven't tracked down the caller yet. This is an ongoing investigation.
