Nine-One-Dum

(I work as a dispatcher for a police department in the DFW area, and I also take 911 calls. It is a well-known “rule” in dispatch that the person with the least amount of information is the one who calls 911.)

Me: “[City] 911; what is the address of your emergency?”

Caller: “I’ve just been in a car accident! Please send help immediately!”

Me: “Is anyone injured?”

Caller: “No, but my car won’t start!”

Me: “Okay, ma’am, I’m going to send an officer to assist you. Please tell me where you are.”

Caller: “Um… I don’t know. I’m on a street in [City].”

Me: “Yes, ma’am, I know. But which street?”

Caller: “Uh… I think it’s [Street]. Yeah, I’m on [Street].”

Me: “[Street] and what cross street?”

Caller: “Yeah, at the cross street!”

(That street is five miles long and has dozens of intersections!)