Community Corner
Accidental 911 Call Yields Surprising Returns; Impromptu Pick-Up Game
Concerned when a caller accidentally dialed 911 and hung up, a Polk deputy showed up at the man's house and joined him in a game of hoops.
POLK COUNTY, FL — It was one of those mistakes that 911 operators deal with dozens of times every day. But this time, the error had a fortunate outcome.
Gustavo Parra was outside shooting some hoops on his own when he accidentally punched in 911 on his cell phone.
When he heard a person on the other end of the phone announce that he'd reached 911 communications, Parra did what any embarrassed guy would do.
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He quickly hung up.
Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Craig Smith happened to be on duty, and erring on the side of caution, he decided to drive to the caller's address just to make sure he really dialed 911 by accident and wasn't injured or in distress.
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When Smith pulled up to the home, there was Parra engaged in a solitary game of basketball.
Parra's heart dropped when he spotted the deputy. He mentally prepared himself for a firm rebuke.
What happened next was so surprising, Parra just had to tweet about it to all his friends. Instead of getting bawled out, Parra got "balled out," as Smith snatched the basketball from him and proceeded to join Parra in a quick game of hoops.
Afterward, Parra thanked Smith and apologized for wasting his time.
Smith said there was no need for apologies and no need for Parra to be embarrassed.
"It's our job to check on you all and make sure you are safe," he said.
Parra couldn't resist taking a photo of he and Smith posing beneath the hoop. As soon as the deputy left at 12.12 a.m., Parra tweeted, "Accidentally called 911 tonight and one of the best Polk County sheriffs, Officer Craig Smith, showed up and ball out with me."
"Mistakes happen," said the sheriff's office on its Facebook page.
But, just to be clear, if you're looking for a pick-up game, it's a bad idea to call 911 and hang up. If you do accidentally dial 911, do not hang up, said the sheriff's office. Stay on the line, so dispatchers can make sure you're OK. And if your first instinct is to immediately hang up, be sure to answer the phone when the dispatcher calls back.
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