Naples woman accused of repeatedly calling 911 for non-emergencies arrested

Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Kathryn Helene Deal – Photo courtesy of Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

A Naples woman is accused of repeatedly calling 911 for non-emergency issues.

Collier County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kathryn Helene Deal, 55, for misusing 911. Deal called 911 five times, clocking over 21 minutes on the phone with a dispatcher.

Dispatchers try to respond to a call within a minute. So, Deal could have interfered with around 20 emergencies. Deputies said Deal continued calling even though dispatchers told her to stop.

“What they’re doing is taking that person, and are taking the time, while other calls are building up in the queue and need to be answered,” said Bob Finney, communications director of CCSO.

The dispatch center is already short staffed with anywhere from two to nine operators on a given day.

“They really could be preventing someone from getting help in a timely matter,” Finney said. “And in an emergency seconds count.”

Deal is a repeat offender. She was previously arrested for misusing 911 in 2011.

Deal was released from jail after posting bond set at $2,000.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.