Prosecutors: Man Made Over 30 Fake 911 Calls, Claims 'Sound Of Sirens Calms Him Down'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York City man is accused of making more than 30 fake calls to 911 in about a month.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said Friday that 47-year-old Kenneth Campbell faces charges that include making a terroristic threat and could face up to 7 years behind bars if convicted.
Brown said the false reports ranged from electrical emergencies, to a pregnant woman in labor, to threats of a suicide bombing, WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reported.
Prosecutors say the flurry of fake calls occurred between Feb. 12 and March 16. They say some calls were made from other people's phones and a pay phone.
One call involved Campbell saying he had a bomb while speaking in a fake Middle Eastern accent, according to New York Daily News sources.
According to the criminal complaint, the defendant said he has a verbally abusive relative and "the sound of sirens calms him down.''
Brown notes that false 911 calls can place lives at risk by diverting rescuers from real emergencies.
There was no immediate information on an attorney who could comment on Campbell's behalf.
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