We learned back in elementary school not to call about an emergency unless it was actually an emergency. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop people from calling 911 for some truly outrageous problems. Some of these calls are downright baffling. Here are 13 of the most ridiculous reasons people have called 911, proving that common sense isn’t always common.
1. The Wrong Sandwich Order
When you’re hungry, it can be a bummer to get the wrong food at a restaurant. A distressed caller was so disheartened, they once dialed 911 after receiving the wrong sandwich order. The crime was against their stomach in this case. Dispatchers had to explain that culinary disputes were not within their jurisdiction.
2. Unhappy with Haircut
Even if you got a bowl cut, you weren’t legitimately butchered by your butcher. Still, that didn’t stop one individual from calling 911 after a particularly unsatisfactory haircut. The caller demanded that police arrest the barber for their less-than-stellar styling skills. In this case, criminal justice was confused with customer service.
3. Missing TV Remote
Thousands of people go missing each year, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the amount of TV remotes that go MIA. In a moment of peak laziness, a caller turned to 911 to find their missing TV remote. Time was of the essence since the caller didn’t want to miss the beginning of their favorite show. Needless to say, this wasn’t the kind of emergency dispatchers are trained to handle.
4. Too Many Sprinkles on Ice Cream
That’s one sprinkle too many! Sprinkles got out of control at an ice cream shop A sweet treat turned sour in England when a customer called 911 over an excessive amount of sprinkles on her ice cream cone. Believing the ice cream shop had sabotaged their dessert, the caller saw it fit to involve law enforcement. The sprinkles are still at large to this day.
5. Sun is Too Bright
Police officers aren’t capable of controlling the weather. One concerned citizen, however, still reached out to 911 because the sun was too bright. The caller complained that it was making it difficult to see outdoors. The belief was that there was something wrong with the sun, and it required immediate investigation.
7. Out of Soda at the Grocery Store
Let’s face it. When we really crave a Coca-Cola and the store is fresh out, that’s the real crime against humanity! One shopper did the noble thing and dialed 911 after discovering their favorite soda was out of stock at the local grocery store. The caller insisted that the police should investigate what they believed to be a critical supply issue.
7. Broken Nail
Serious injuries happen all the time that need police intervention. A broken fingernail doesn’t count. In one of the most bizarre cases, someone called 911 because they felt their hangnail counted as an emergency situation. The distressed caller hoped for medical advice or even an ambulance to address the urgent issue of their damaged nail.
8. An Opossum Watching Them
Have you ever thought that an animal outside of your window seemed suspicious? One caller felt that unnerved, reporting an opossum that was “watching them” from their yard. We always thought raccoons looked the most suspicious with their bandit-like appearance, but in this case, the opossum had sinister intentions. Apparently, police intervention was needed to handle the suspicious yard-dweller.
9. Lost Jacket
People misplace things all the time. When a jacket went missing at a bar, the owner didn’t just turn to the lost and found. They called 91l instead to recover their missing item. Unfortunately, police jurisdiction can only go so far because the jacket is still missing to this day.
10. Cat Looks Like a Burglar
With their sneaky ways and slinky movements, it’s easy to believe that cats are up to no good. A particularly paranoid pet owner called 911 because their cat looked like it was “plotting a burglary.” The caller was concerned about the suspicious behavior of their feline. Before police could respond, the cat may have just pulled off the heist of the century!
11. Wanting a Taxi
Even with thousands of downloads of ride-sharing apps each year, there are still people who prefer to travel in old-fashioned taxis. A prospective rider couldn’t find a cab, so they thought it appropriate to call 911. The dispatcher had to clarify that emergency services were not a substitute for public transportation. It may have seemed like an emergency at the time, but it doesn’t warrant police assistance.
12. Complaint About the Weather
As has been established, the police do not have the power to control the weather. Unhappy with continuous rain, a caller dialed 911 to complain about the downpour, asking when it would stop. They seemed to believe the emergency services could do something to control the rain. Police advised they grab an umbrella and wait it out like everyone else.
13. Noisy Refrigerator
People call the police about noisy neighbors all the time. Noisy refrigerators, however, that’s another story! Disturbed by the buzzing sound of their refrigerator, one homeowner called 911 for help. Believing the appliance posed an immediate threat to their safety, they sought emergency assistance for what was likely just a mechanical issue.
In Case of Emergency
These ridiculous reasons people have called 911 prove that not everybody understands the difference between a real emergency and a minor inconvenience. Each call is more absurd than the last, highlighting just how strange human nature can be. Not only are these calls a waste of valuable resources, but they also distract from other situations that actually qualify as emergencies. Only pick up your phone and dial “911” if it’s truly needed.
Read More:
Weird Weather Events: 10 Natural Anomalies That Stunned the World
15 Outdated Survival Myths That Could Actually Be Dangerous
Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.