"What number is this?"
Posted on 10/04/2010 1:30:33 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Don't know what day it is? Look at a calender. Don't call 911
It appears residents in Broward County have their definitions for "nonsense" and "emergency" mixed up. According to the Broward Sheriff's Office call center, nearly half the 911 calls they receive are for things not quite a life or death situation - unless you consider a fast food order an emergency.
To paraphrase the immortal words of Flavor Flav, 911 callers are a joke in this town.
"My toilet's overflowing, what do I do? That's my personal favorite," BSO Sheriff Al Lamberti said. While it's a stretch, a busted toilet at least could, conceivably, be considered an emergency. But there is no rationale for the number calls that sound something like this:
"I ordered chicken nuggets and they don't have chicken nuggets," one woman called 911 to report.
The fast food offenses are usually the most common and often the most annoying because people think it's really an emergency worthy of 911, one operator said.
"Screaming in my ear, 'I wanted the sausage, and he gave me the burrito!'" April McGill recalls from one call. "She's trying to force me to eat something off the menu that I don't want!" The penal code hasn't quite addressed customer service in the fast food industry, but that hasn't stopped Broward residents from picking up the phone and calling the police. People have asked for police escorts, rides to the liquor store and instructions on how to make meatballs.
One woman even called to ask what day it was. Meanwhile, real emergencies can suffer from an influx of foolish calls. Occasionally, the police do show up to help. Well, help that person into a pair of handcuffs and a jail cell.
Lamberti said there is a pretty easy rule to follow if you aren't sure if 911 is the right call for you. "If it involves your toilet or your turkey that's a no-no," he said.
Or as one operator put it, "911 is if you're dying. Do you understand that?"
And these people can vote...
They should charge these idiots criminally.
No but they should start with a small warning fine that progresses to either larger fines or mental competency evaluations if the calls don't stop.
Calender?
“Hello, 911? The Bush girls are here trying to order drinks.” - Chuy’s Restaurant manager (Austin)
The power of the government has NO bounds in these folks' minds.
LOL...I was just about to point out that a writer wishing to point out what morons other people are just might want to make sure all the words in the very first sentence of his article are spelled correctly.
This is Todd Wright. If he gets the majority of words spelled right, we should pat him on the back.
But, but, but - what if a person who wants to know if they can defrost their turkey in the toilet?
911 is a Joke - Public Enemy
Hit me
Going, going, gone
Now I dialed 911 a long time ago
Don’t you see how late they’re reactin’
They only come and they come when they wanna
So get the morgue embalm the goner
They don’t care ‘cause they stay paid anyway
They teach ya like an ace they can’t be betrayed
I know you stumble with no use people
If your life is on the line they you’re dead today
Late comings with the late comin’ stretcher
That’s a body bag in disguise y’all betcha
I call ‘em body snatchers quick they come to fetch ya?
With an autopsy ambulance just to dissect ya
They are the kings ‘cause they swing amputation
Lose your arms, your legs to them it’s compilation
I can prove it to you watch the rotation
It all adds up to a funky situation
So get up get, get get down
911 is a joke in yo town
Get up, get, get, get down
Late 911 wears the late crown
911 is a joke
Everyday they don’t never come correct
You can ask my man right here with the broken neck
He’s a witness to the job never bein’ done
He would’ve been in full in 8 9-11
Was a joke ‘cause they always jokin’
They the token to your life when it’s croakin’
They need to be in a pawn shop on a
911 is a joke we don’t want ‘em
I call a cab ‘cause a cab will come quicker
The doctors huddle up and call a flea flicker
The reason that I say that ‘cause they
Flick you off like fleas
They be laughin’ at ya while you’re crawlin’ on your knees
And to the strength so go the length
Thinkin’ you are first when you really are tenth
You better wake up and smell the real flavor
Cause 911 is a fake life saver
So get up, get, get get down
911 is a joke in yo town
Get up, get, get, get down
Late 911 wears the late crown
Ow, ow 911 is a joke
Some of this is crazy people, pranks and nonsense but way, way, way, way more of it is the sense of entitlement that some people have. Need a ride to the hospital and are too lazy to take the bus or a cab? Call 911 and ask them for an ambulance. Have a problem with the neighbor’s dog? Don’t talk to the neighbor, just call 911. It stems from laziness and a lack of a sense of personal responsibility.
And a lack of Friends..that will take you to the hospital, or give you the recipe for meatballs.
So many jokes, so little time...
When Gore demanded a recount in the 2000 election, this was one of the counties that Weird Al was banking on to give him the Presidency.
He knew what he was doing.
I wonder what they say to 411?
Possibly, "What's the number for 911?"
"What number is this?"
If you NEED (and I mean really NEED) a ride to the hospital, then you probably should call the ambulance and not a cab. The taxi driver doesn’t appreciate pools of blood gushing into his vehicle. If the neighbor’s dog just attacked you and you’re incapacitated with an immediate threat to your life, then you SHOULD call 911 for help. That’s why our tax dollars pay for emergency medical services. If you have a real emergency (an immediate threat to life or limb), then you should take advantage of those services.
Is this the party to whom I’m speaking?
You know...I don’t advocate violence in any form whatsoever.
However, there are some people who need killin’. ;o)
Think of it as adding chlorine to the gene pool.
I’m calling 911. I object to this thread, and you need to explain to the cops why you pinged me to it.
Waste of jail space. Sterilize them and any of their offspring.
Perhaps he wants people to look into their collanders? ;-P
must be cold in NY. Time for reporters to migrate to Florida weather for their winter stories.
I plead the Fifth.
:-D
as one operator put it, “911 is if you’re dying. Do you understand that?”
Can you say that in Spanish?
A simple law imposing a $100.00 penalty on their next phone bill if it is determined the call is frivolous would put a stop to this in a hurry.
We already have the law in place. We should be using it.
FALSE “911” CALLS.—Whoever accesses the number “911” for the purpose of making a false alarm or complaint or reporting false information which could result in the emergency response of any public safety agency is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083
Based on the 2000 election, though, not very well. :=)
The criminal process is unwieldy (because of all the procedural requirements) and seldom used because the system is designed for more serious crimes. As a result, few people are prosecuted and fewer people still hear of the the negative impact on the caller.
Do away with the criminal penalties and have a $100.00 charge applied to the next phone bill and the impact is immediate.
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