A Twitter War Against Ontario Amber Alert Complainers Is On After Last Night's Alert
A group of Torontonians' controversial responses to an Ontario amber alert has caused an uproar on Twitter Thursday morning. Ontario Provincial Police issued the warning at about 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the request of the Toronto police. The alarm was later canceled after police located the 13-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl who were the subject of it. Officials initially reported that the two teens were last spotted in the city’s west end with their father.
Despite the situation’s happy ending, there were still some Ontarians who thought it was disrespectful for the police to send out the alert so late at night. “Another false alarm that woke me up,” wrote one user while questioning the validity of the alarm. “Ontario Amber Alerts aka parental custody disputes,” wrote another.
The outburst of complaints caused an equally massive backlash from residents who support the alerts, who saw the attacks on the system as selfish.
“If people are that worked up about the amber alert notifications in Ontario, why don't that take their frustration out on the people stealing the fucking kids?” wrote one angry user in response to the criticism.
“For those who complain about being woken up by an amber alert, there is a special place in hell for you! Rant over,” wrote another.
Ontario Amber Alert has been cancelled. The children have been located safe.— AMBER Alert Ontario (@AMBER Alert Ontario) 1573105012.0
@AMBERAlertONT Well that's just great now that I'm awake and unable to go to sleep and may I add live half a day aw… https://t.co/2FN2o4PR9u— Jesus H. Christ (@Jesus H. Christ) 1573105390.0
@AMBERAlertONT I am so thankful they were found. Thank you for amber alert system. This may save many lives!!!!— Zsa Zsa (@Zsa Zsa) 1573130201.0
@AMBERAlertONT @680NEWS Good but the alert sound has been continually going off since around 5 am. Please ensure it stops.— Happydays (@Happydays) 1573131734.0
@AMBERAlertONT @CityNews People.... you know you can silence the alert and still receive the texts right? Just saying.— Greener (@Greener) 1573121850.0
@vote4robgill You know what 100% of Ontario residents that get the amber alert are not doing? Getting out of bed an… https://t.co/LDYrFGszIp— Donny Caldwell (@Donny Caldwell) 1573126907.0
Man these Amber Alerts acting like Presedential level “you are going to fucking die in the apocalypse” alerts needs… https://t.co/geGB9L47tS— cadavaberry (@cadavaberry) 1573126877.0
Until recently, there had been calls for punishment against those complaining about the amber alert, especially after multiple people were reported calling 911 for previous alerts.
However, Hamilton Police reported back in October, that a man had been arrested and charged with mischief after calling 911 to complain about the Amber Alert on October 1, 2019.
According to police, the suspect called 911 to "purposely tie up emergency lines." Police explained that the individual was upset that the alarm went off while he was sleeping and told police that he would continue to call the line as revenge for the alert.
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