The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Does Toronto's New "*877" Phone Number Present A New Problem?

**Posted by RadioActive** August 7, 2025 1:13 pm

The city has instituted yet another new three digit phone number to help residents who need police attention but it's not a 911-like emergency. It's "*877," or "*TPS (aka Toronto Police Services)," which can be called when you need to speak to the cops but it's not urgent.

My question: aren't there toll free numbers that start with "877?" Does this mean if you don't dial the "1" before the next three digits you could wind up calling the police instead of the phone number you were trying to reach? I get that they wanted the numbers to correspond to the cops, but this seems like a bad idea to me, which will just result in more mistakes and wasted time for authorities.

Almost any three number combo would have been better. How about "*767," short for "*SOS?" But they didn't do that. We'll see if that causes more trouble than it's worth.

Got a non-emergency request for Toronto police? You can now call *877

**Posted by RadioAaron** August 7, 2025 1:23 pm

No, because it's only for cell phones, which don't start the connection until the whole number is entered.

**Posted by Saul** August 7, 2025 1:51 pm

RadioAaron wrote:
No, because it's only for cell phones, which don't start the connection until the whole number is entered.

What happens, then, if a landline starts dialing 877?

**Posted by RadioAaron** August 7, 2025 3:29 pm

Saul wrote:
RadioAaron wrote:
No, because it's only for cell phones, which don't start the connection until the whole number is entered.
What happens, then, if a landline starts dialing 877?

Nothing.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** August 8, 2025 7:19 am

I think it should have been 007, easy to remember and somewhat related!

**Posted by fybush** August 8, 2025 5:49 pm

The * is part of the number. If you don't include it when you're punching in *877 on your cellphone, it won't connect to TPS.

**Posted by Saul** August 8, 2025 10:54 pm

fybush wrote:
The * is part of the number. If you don't include it when you're punching in *877 on your cellphone, it won't connect to TPS.

Thanks, Scott. I didn't note the asterisk.

**Posted by mace** August 9, 2025 7:38 am

I think this is an excellent idea. There are relatively few things in life that send me on spin cycle. One of them is people who phone 911 for the most idiotic, stupid, non emergency things. I have only phoned 911 twice in my life. 1. I spotted a possible impaired or sleepy driver weaving from lane to lane on the 401 on a Saturday morning. 2. When my Mom had a stroke. I never found out how number one turned out. but the emergency responders arrived at my Mom's home within three minutes on a Friday afternoon.

**Posted by Saul** August 9, 2025 9:07 am

mace wrote:
I think this is an excellent idea. There are relatively few things in life that send me on spin cycle. One of them is people who phone 911 for the most idiotic, stupid, non emergency things. I have only phoned 911 twice in my life. 1. I spotted a possible impaired or sleepy driver weaving from lane to lane on the 401 on a Saturday morning. 2. When my Mom had a stroke. I never found out how number one turned out. but the emergency responders arrived at my Mom's home within three minutes on a Friday afternoon.

I wholeheartedly agree. Have only called 911 once. Chest pains. I called 911, got a few key items in my knapsack (cellphone and charger, a book, etc), and within 3-5 minutes I was not only inside an ambulance diagnosed with a heart attack but treatment was already underway to stabilize. I also ended up being prioritized at emerg. If at all possible, do NOT walk or drive to the emerg room - going by ambulance means you'll be taken seriously and immediately.