GPS Helps Police Find Prank Callers

Save

12 comments

A | A | A

Wednesday, June 4, 2008 --- 9:15 a.m.

According to a press release from the Dane County Sheriff's Office:

At approximately 2:30 a.m., Dane County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to an area east of 2349 Williams Point Drive, in the Town of Pleasant Springs, for a 911 hang up call from an unsubscribed cellular telephone. Unsubscribed cellular telephones can still dial 911, but can not be called back. Because the location of the 911 hang up could not be pinpointed, an extensive search of the area was conducted by deputies, with the assistance of the Stoughton Police Department.

With the help of the 911 Center providing latitude and longitude coordinates, the on-scene Sheriff's Office Sergeant was able to input the coordinates into the GPS program on his squad computer and narrow the search to 300 feet. Deputies were then able to locate two prank callers who were staying in the group campground at Lake Kegonsa State Park. A chaperone with the group discovered the students misusing the cellular telephone and placed a call to the 911 Center as the deputies were arriving in the campground.

The two pranksters, ages 12 and 13, were part of a group of Madison School District students participating in a camping trip at the park. Charges of False Reports to the 911 System were referred on the two juveniles, who were then released to the chaperone. The two also admitted to making an earlier prank call at 7:25 pm, on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Deputies, who do not have the GPS capabilities in their individual squads, were dispatched to this earlier call, but were unable to locate the caller, or anyone in need of assistance.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office would like to remind citizens to use the 911 Emergency System appropriately and only in cases of emergency. Also keep in mind unsubscribed cellular telephones do not have the capability to receive calls back, so remain on the line when calling, and provide as much information as possible to your location.

More Stories
Child Injured by Fireworks

Madison Community Leader Speaks Out Against Increasing Gun Violence

CrimeTracker 15: Man Hit with Baseball Bat

CrimeTracker 15: Union Cab Driver Robbed

CrimeTracker 15: Woman Robbed in Fitchburg

"Public Enemies" - Your Source for Information

Area Fireworks Schedule: 2009

Fourth of July Parade Route In Pardeeville Restored

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 5, 2008 at 04:17 PM
To Bill and Suzie cream cheese, Maybe the police will just have to lower their rates. Or maybe we should pay as they earn. That way we'll never have to worry about not being able to afford such fine services.

Posted by: Susan on Jun 5, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Once again, when these kids called 911 they said that someone was in need of help, then hung up. True, even tho the article doesn't say it. Nothing was heard on the Zimmerman call so there was no police response. If nothing had been said on these two prank calls there would have been no response. If it ever changes to police responding to general location of all 911 disconnects 80-100 times a day, Bill at 1:04am is right. We won't be able to afford police services.

Posted by: duh on Jun 5, 2008 at 06:57 AM
Concerned, Read the article. It has many clues.

Posted by: Bill Location: Janesville on Jun 5, 2008 at 01:04 AM
They shouldn't be turned over to juvenile court, they're parents should beat their little hind ends. Unfortunately, with some of the far left wing liberals, who had the laws changed, the parents would be charged with child abuse, it's a rampant problem with the schooling system as proven with teachers no longer being able to administer corporal punishment. I think with the upcoming "great depression," this will change back, since we won't be able to afford police services with the upcoming budget issues.

Posted by: Concerned... Location: Madison, WI on Jun 4, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Ok if police could track this 911 call after a hang up why couldn't they track Brittany Zimmerman's call??

Posted by: Bob McBob Location: Madison on Jun 4, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Anon @ 10:10am - #1: Dane Co Sheriff doesn't do beat patrols in the City; so how does their presence make a direct difference? |||| Helen @ 11:46am: all the calls are tracked from the same place: Dane Co 911 Center. Obviously something was said, or overt noises of distress were heard for any "tracking" to be initiated. |||| b @ 1:48pm: not all squads have every piece of technology currently available. Take the cost of the squad car, add it's souped-up engine; add the extra hardware [rollbars, "cage," lights/sirens, window bars]; add in the cost of the Mobile Data Computer [MDC]; add the cost of the radio equipment; add the cost of the riot-shotgun or assault rifle; add the cost of the inboard camera [possibly w/ remote audio] and the cost of the digital recording device to store all that wonderful Caught-On-Tape footage...how much does ONE squad cost?? It takes a little while to afford to outfit EVERY cop car in an agency [your tax dollars at work and people want an accounting]!

Posted by: Kez Location: Madison on Jun 4, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Did these kids get any sort of a real consequence for what they did?

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 4, 2008 at 02:45 PM
I knew this would happen. After all that crap with Brittney, now you'll have all idiots calling and hanging up. They will do this on cell phones that they think people can not trace or from a pre paid cell phone. I think when people do this they should fine them in the several thousand dollars. You had someone that lost their life, the time will come again when that trace on the phone will really be needed.

Posted by: Susan on Jun 4, 2008 at 02:24 PM
The article says the SERGEANT put the coordinates into the squad GPS. Sergeant's cars have this, deputies' cars don't. Interestingly, this press release fails to mention WHY the deputies were investigating these disconnects. It was because, when these kids called, they said someone was in trouble..then hung up. This all would not have been done if there had been nothing said on the calls.

Posted by: b Location: madison on Jun 4, 2008 at 01:48 PM
I am confused it said the Deputy put the cordinates into his squad GPS, but then it said deputies who do not have GPS. Don't they all have them? That seems pretty stupid if that is true, it seems like an important tool.

Posted by: Helen Location: Madison on Jun 4, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Hey Annon. Good comment. Interesting how Dane County could track the cell phone calls but the MPD could not.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 4, 2008 at 10:10 AM
The Dane County Sheriff's dept. is one of the best police forces in the US. They are hard working, honest and responsible. The city of Madison would be a terrible, terrible place without them!

	Weather Authority Watch your local weather 24/7.

	News Links Looking for something you saw on NBC 15? Find it here.

	Double Dollar Deals Experience our area's best restaurants at a Half-Off price.

	Golf Double Dollar Deals Experience our area's best golf courses at a Half-Off price.

	Family Double Dollar Deals Experience our area's best businesses at a Half-Off price.

	What's On? Click here to see our program guide.

	Perfect Home Find out how to make your perfect home.

	The Health Professional Find answers to your health questions.

	Bike MS Join us as we ride the open road to fight MS