Woman calls 911 over lack of shrimp in fried rice

[Chris_]

The operator would have gone to the 9-1-1 system to summons the police officer, so it still would "tie up" the system, only it would have taken longer. 

The lady was in what she perceived to be a dangerous situation.  She did the right thing.  That's what the system is for.  9-1-1 is not just an "after the fact" emergency number.  It's suppose to be there for all of us when we make a personal decision that life and/or property are in danger or jeopardy.

Actually the operator would likely have called the non-emergency police number, not 911.  There was no life-threatening emergency.

That said, better safe than sorry.

[Lord Undies]

Actually the operator would likely have called the non-emergency police number, not 911.  There was no life-threatening emergency.

That said, better safe than sorry.

No, an operator would not have risked the liability.  Phone company employees do not have a hot line to the police station.  A telephone operator would have put the lady through to 9-1-1.  That's how it works.  Phone company employees don't make judgments on emergencies.  The lady did the right and speedy thing by calling 9-1-1 herself.

By the way, the last time I dialed "0" it was answered by a women working in a call center in St. Louis.  I assume local operators are a thing of the past.