Prank Calls Prompt Boulder To Yank ER Phones

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- An increase in cell phone use, maintenance cost and hundreds of prank calls from emergency call boxes set up in a neighborhood near the University of Colorado at Boulder have prompted city officials to remove the call boxes.

Boulder installed the call boxes known as "blue phones" as a safety measure in 2002. During 2009 and 2010 none of the 351 calls received from the boxes were legitimate calls for help.

City officials say emergency calls from the area called The Hill that is known for its shops, bars and restaurants and frequented by university students come from landlines or cell phones. Officials Friday said the five call boxes in the area will be removed by Feb. 18.

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