Judge dials up two years’ probation for ‘prolific’ 911 harasser

Kenneth Jarvis, 53, has been sentenced to two years of supervised probation after admitting to making nearly 200 harassing 911 calls between November 2021 and April of this year. Crown attorney Nancy Fazenda described Jarvis as a "prolific caller" who generated numerous unfounded calls for service, causing strain on Winnipeg Police Service officers.

Jarvis pleaded guilty to one count of making repeated harassing phone calls. He was arrested in April and June, and during his rearrest, he was found in possession of crack cocaine. Fazenda noted that Jarvis's crack consumption played a role in his offending, causing paranoia and cognitive challenges. A forensic assessment found Jarvis had an elaborate persecutory system of thought, involving neighbors breaking into his apartment and stealing his belongings.

His brother testified in court that he had visited Jarvis's apartment and found evidence supporting many of his claims. Despite this, Judge Robert Heinrichs sentenced Jarvis to time served for breaching his bail order and possession of cocaine, with an additional two years of supervised probation. During this time, Jarvis is prohibited from calling 911 unless there is a real emergency.