Multiple calls to 911 for food lands man in jail

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- In a growing trend of bogus 911 calls, a South Florida man has found himself behind bars for phoning emergency dispatchers multiple times in search of food and a ride.

"I'm just hungry and trying to get back to my neighborhood," Benjamin Dewer told the dispatcher. "That's all."

The operator did not appreciate the 26-year-old's frivolous request. "No, not a reason to call 911," said the woman.

According to Delray Beach Police Department Lieutenant Mark Woods, the young man was warned about his pettiness. "Officers told him not to call 911 asking for rides," said the lieutenant.

An apparently inebriated Dewer remained persistent. "I can't walk no more," he told the dispatcher in a follow-up call. "I haven't eaten in days."

A bit of creative questioning led police to Dewer, who they discovered wandering in the streets. "I don't know how to help you, if you can't help me find where you are at," said the dispatcher.

A judge imposed a 10-day jail sentence on Dewer, who plead guilty Thursday to misusing 911. The 26-year-old's bond was set at $1,000.

Several bogus 911 calls have graced the airwaves in recent memory, including a notable fastfood dispute. "If I'm hungry, why does she say she is not going to give me the food," asked the supposed customer, reporting an apparently difficult employee.

The dispatcher, seemingly in disbelief, was not humored. "Sir, come on. Come on," she reiterated. "I know you don't seriously think that the police need to make Burger King give you food faster."

Another infamous call included a rant on filth. "The kitchen sink is full of ants," said the caller. "Billions and billions crawling all over the kitchen sink."

Such needless calls can clog up emergency line centers and tie up police manpower on the streets. "It should be common knowledge by now for people not to call 911 for non-emergency things," said Woods.

Woods expects people to know better, and if not, consider Mr. Dewer's story a final heads-up. "If you call 911 enough unnecessarily, you will get arrested," said the lieutenant.

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