Woman Calls 911 During Domestic Abuse Incident By Pretending To Order Pizza

A woman managed to call 911 during a domestic abuse incident by pretending to order a pizza. The article was originally published via Buzzfeed.

In May 2014, a thread in the popular AskReddit subreddit sought feedback from 911 dispatchers on the “one call they could never forget.” While 911 operators often have experience ranging from funny to harrowing, one comment in the thread stood out against more than about 5,000 others.

Recalling the call, Keith Weisinger, who worked as a police dispatcher between 2004—06, said the call remained one of the most memorable he ever took.

The 911 dispatcher who posted it (Reddit user Crux1836) related a story of a domestic violence victim’s subverting her attacker by pretending to order a pizza after calling emergency services:

I had a call that started out pretty dumb, but was actually pretty serious:
“911, where is you emergency?”
“123 Main St.”
“Ok, what’s going on there?”
“I’d like to order a pizza for delivery.” (oh great, another prank call).
“Ma’am, you’ve reached 911”
“Yeah, I know. Can I have a large with half pepperoni, half mushroom and peppers?”
“Ummm…. I’m sorry, you know you’ve called 911 right?”
“Yeah, do you know how long it will be?”
“Ok, Ma’am, is everything ok over there? do you have an emergency?”
“Yes, I do.”
“..And you can’t talk about it because there’s someone in the room with you?” (moment of realization)
“Yes, that’s correct. Do you know how long it will be?”
“I have an officer about a mile from your location. Are there any weapons in your house?”
“Nope.”
“Can you stay on the phone with me?”
“Nope. See you soon, thanks”

As we dispatch the call, I check the history at the address, and see there are multiple previous domestic violence calls. The officer arrives and finds a couple, female was kind of banged up, and boyfriend was drunk. Officer arrests him after she explains that the boyfriend had been beating her for a while. I thought she was pretty clever to use that trick. Definitely one of the most memorable calls.

Weisinger currently an environmental lawyer with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, told Buzzfeed News he was working the graveyard shift and remembers getting the call close to midnight.