WASHINGTON CO. WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER MAKING NUMEROUS NON-EMERGENCY 911 CALLS

  

A Washington County woman has been charged with a misdemeanor after authorities say over 130 9-1-1 calls had been made from her residence since last year.

38-year-old Lacreshia Ann Reliford was arrested at her home Friday and charged with Silent or Abusive Calls or Electronic Communication to 9-1-1 Service, a Class B misdemeanor.

This came after Sheriff Otto Hanak asked for investigation into possible repeated abuse of the 9-1-1 emergency system, after deputies were dispatched to a home on Allen Road in northeast Washington County. The recorded 9-1-1 call was made by Reliford, who advised the operator that her child was refusing to leave her bed.  Several other 9-1-1 calls from the same home were made the day before, with no actual emergency.

Since January 1, 2018, there have been over 130 9-1-1 calls from the residence, with the Sheriff’s Office defining many as “questionable” as it relates to the 9-1-1 system.

After speaking with the Washington County Attorney’s Office, deputies presented a probable cause affidavit to Precinct One Justice of the Peace Doug Zwiener, who signed a Class B misdemeanor warrant for her arrest.

Sheriff Hanak reminds the public that the 9-1-1 system is meant for first responders to quickly respond to actual emergencies, such as life or death situations. He says abusive calls can cause the system to either be delayed significantly or fail entirely, and adds there are significant costs to citizens associated with those types of abuses.

Sheriff Hanak says, before dialing 9-1-1, to make sure the matter being called about is an actual emergency, and not something that can be handled by calling the county’s non-emergency line at 979-277-7373.

Class B misdemeanors are punishable by up to 180 days in a county jail, and a fine of up to $2,000. Reliford posted $1,500 bond and was released from custody on Saturday.