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Prank 911 Calls Don't Amuse Authorities

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By LYNN CARSON

News Channel 8

Published: April 16, 2008

TAMPA - Inside the police department's communication center, the phone rings about 425,000 times a year, but some callers who dial 911 are not reporting emergencies.

One man recently called 911 and said he needed a doctor because his condom broke.

Another phoned and told dispatchers, "I'm declaring diplomatic immunity. Please send me an English-speaking diplomat."

And on Sunday, Lawrence Tucholski told the 911 dispatcher that Tampa police are useless and some will die, police said. He called back a few minutes later and said Mayor Pam Iorio should be executed.

Lawrence Tucholski

Those calls landed the 37-year-old in jail.

Eddie Durkin, communications supervisor, said he's heard it all, like the man who called in to see how many life insurance polices his wife had on him.

"OK, let's be real frank here," a dispatcher told one prank caller. "If you keep calling 911, you're going to get in trouble for abuse of the 911 system."

That's what happened to a profanity-spewing 10-year-old that rang in for an hour and a half. The child called 18 times and cussed out dispatchers on every call. Police tracked the boy from his cell phone and the child is now facing misdemeanor charges, investigators said.

Another outrageous call came from a man claiming he needed immediate police assistance.

"I've picked up a prostitute," the caller said, "and they won't get out of my car. I need a policeman here right away."

Then there's the case of the naked guy.

Dispatcher: "911, what's your emergency?"

Caller: "I'm naked."

"Where are you?"

"I'm outside. And I'm naked."

"What's your name?"

"Jason."

"Jason what?"

"Jason I'm in the Middle of the Street and I'm Naked. Is your cop going to be OK that I'm naked?"

Dispatchers told News Channel 8 that calls like this may sound funny, but they are not laughing. Every bogus call could mean that someone in real danger may not get help in time, dispatchers said.

Tampa Tribune reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report.

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