‘911, WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY?’

‘I’m out of beer and need a ride to get some more’

Apparently beer runs don’t count as emergencies.

TENNESSEE MAN CALLS 911 FOR RIDE TO BUY BEER

cbsatlanta.com
August 6, 2012

COLUMBIA, TN -- Emergency dispatchers can field hundreds of calls a day for everything from accidents to burglaries.

But operators in Maury County said a Columbia man went too far Saturday when he called 911, landing himself in jail.

Sixty-seven-year-old Allen Troy Brooks called 911 not once, not twice, but at least nine times, including one call in which he asked if someone could send him a ride so he could buy some beer.

Dispatcher: "Maury 911 what's your emergency?"
Man: "(Inaudible)"
Dispatcher: "Sir?"
Man: "Want to take me the store."
Dispatcher: "Won't take you to the store? What's going on sir?"
Man: "To the store want to get me a beer."
Dispatcher: "No I can't take you to the store and get you a beer. You called 911."

Brooks eventually hung up, but dispatchers called the number back, got his location and dispatched officers who ultimately arrested Brooks.

Officer Seneca Shield said he told Brooks if he cooperated, he would receive just a citation, but Brooks denied making the calls and claimed he didn't have a telephone. Shield said officers believed if they didn't arrest Brooks, the calls would continue.

Dispatchers say that kind of behavior ties up resources and can put other people at risk.

"The line of storms had just gone through, there was a wreck on the interstate - I mean, the dispatchers are doing a lot more then just talking to a man who wants a ride to the store to get a beer," said Susan Mitchell, assistant director of Maury County 911.

Dispatchers deal with prank and non-emergency calls all the time, which can possibly leave others in a real emergency left out. In Maury County, a child called 911 some 20 times on the same day Brooks called.

As for Brooks, he was later released on bond after he was charged with making 911 calls in a non-emergency situation.