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Separate Tampa Calls Net Charges Of Abusing 911 System

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By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 29, 2008

Isidoro Acosta
Tiffany Tolson

TAMPA - The firefighters and paramedics at Rescue 9 say they know Isidoro Acosta all too well.

This month, according to a police report, Acosta has called 911 more than 50 times, falsely seeking medical assistance.

Each time, Rescue 9 has responded.

Each time, firefighters say, lives have been endangered and valuable fire personnel and equipment have been tied up.

Early Sunday morning, Acosta, 55, was back at it, according to a report.

Here's what that report says:

Firefighters responded to a call from Super Test gas station at 1907 N. Himes Ave.

It was Acosta.

Firefighters then called police.

Acosta ran away before being apprehended. The Cuban national, with mental health problems, "made numerous excited statements that he could call 911 any time he wanted for his medication or a ride." After being read his Miranda rights, Acosta invoked his right to remain silent.

Firefighters say they repeatedly have explained to Acosta that his calls do not constitute a 911 emergency. When they respond, they say, Acosta is aggressive and belligerent.

"He appears to think the 911 system is some kind of big game," the report states.

Acosta, of 7510 Hubert Ave N, Tampa, was charged with abuse of the 911 system. He was being held at Orient Road Jail. Bail was set at $500.

About 20 hours later, police say, they had to arrest another Tampa resident for abusing the 911 system.

This time it was after a domestic argument went array, police say.

According that report:

Tiffany Tolson, 24, had been told to leave a residence at 2004 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. by Tasha Otero.

When she refused to leave, police responded.

They told Tolson, listed in jail records as a driver for Pete's Towing, to gather her belongings. She then called a cousin to come pick her up.

Tolson continued to threaten Otero, saying, "I'll see you again," and, "This isn't over."

As Tolson loaded her cousin's car, police overheard her telling someone on the phone that she was going to call 911 "to get other cops to come out."

Police told her that if she called 911 for that, she would be arrested.

Tolson continued her tirade against police and Otero.

When Officer Julie Moore went inside the residence to speak to Otero again, she got a call from radio dispatch.

They had received a 911 call from Tolson, who told the dispatcher she was calling 911 even though Moore told her she would go to jail if she did.

Moore then went outside and arrested Tolson for abuse of the 911 system.

She was being held at the Orient Road Jail. Bail was set at $500.

Editor Howard Altman can be reached at (813) 259-7629 or haltman@tampatrib.com.

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