The Most Absurd ‘Emergency’ Calls Police Actually Received
The Case of the Stolen Snowman
A woman in the UK once called the police to report her missing snowman. Yes, snowman. She claimed it had been "stolen" from her front yard, complete with a scarf and hat. When the dispatcher asked if she was serious, she insisted it was “a theft” and that the culprit should be found before the snowman melted.
The operator politely explained that snow doesn’t qualify as personal property. Still, the woman remained convinced it was a case of grand larceny. The call became legendary among local law enforcement as a prime example of how some people misunderstand the purpose of emergency services.
The Burger Was Too Cold
A man in Oregon called 911 to complain about his fast food order. His emergency? The burger he received was too cold. He demanded police intervention and even requested that an officer come down to the restaurant to “resolve the issue” with the staff. When the dispatcher tried to redirect him to the store manager, the man grew irate, insisting it was a crime against customer service.
Eventually, the police did respond—not to check the temperature of the beef, but to warn the man that misusing emergency services could lead to charges. Apparently, the man found the warning more “well done” than the burger he never got to finish.
