I'm sure it's not the first time and it probably won't be the last.
Sheriffs in Wisconsin sprang into action Friday night when a 10-year-old boy called 911 with an epic educational emergency: math homework.
The confused boy had been struggling with his practice problems, and when his family members also found themselves stumped, the boy turned to law enforcement for help, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office reported.
“He said, ‘Ma‘am, I know I’m not supposed to be calling 911 for this, but I really could use some help with my homework,’” dispatcher Kim Krause told ABC 2.
Krause, who hadn’t been trained in decimals, was unable to assist over the phone, but a deputy was dispatched to the boy’s home to help him solve the math mystery.
“Personally, I am also not overly proficient when it comes to math, but nonetheless, I responded to assist,” Deputy Chase Mason wrote in his after-action report.
“With the help of Deputy Mason, they were able to work together and solve the decimal-related math problems,”.
After finishing the assignment with an assist from the law, he did receive a warning to only call 911 for life-threatening emergencies moving forward.
“When he goes to school and all of the students see it they’re going to think it’s so cool,” the deputy told ABC 2.
“Just hopefully they don’t all call me for math help next time.”
Dispatcher Kim Krause said the boy called 911 after he and his family were stumped by his math problems.
Shawano is a county of around 40,000 residents outside Green Bay.
County Sheriff George Lenzner said they were only able to respond to the unusual SOS because it was a slow evening, but their officers have been known to help people with small crises like snow-shoveling and replacing mailboxes.
“A great teaching moment for all. Thank you, Deputy Mason, for taking time out of your day to be a friend to this young man!” the office wrote.
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