Woman Calls 911 to ‘Order Pizza,’ Dispatcher Brilliantly Plays Along to Outsmart Her Abuser

In a moment of pure brilliance, a woman managed to call 911 for help while pretending to order pizza, cleverly alerting dispatchers to her distress. The call, which took place two years ago, remains an inspirational story that has since taught others who may be unable to speak openly about their emergency situations. Thanks to the sharp instincts of dispatcher Tim Teneyck, the woman was able to safely escape her abuser without him realizing she had reached out for help.

The Call that Changed Everything

In what could have been a life-threatening situation, the woman’s call to 911 initially seemed to be just a routine order for pizza. When the dispatcher answered, she simply asked to place an order for pizza at a specific address. This is not the kind of call you expect to receive at an emergency dispatch center, and dispatcher Teneyck was initially confused. However, his years of training allowed him to quickly recognize the fear in her voice.

Here’s an excerpt from the conversation:

Teneyck: “Oregon 911”

Caller: “I would like to order a pizza at [address redacted].”

Teneyck: “You called 911 to order a pizza?”

Caller: “Uh, yeah. Apartment [redacted].”

Teneyck: “This is the wrong number to call for a pizza…”

Caller: “No, no, no. You’re not understanding.”

Teneyck: “I’m getting you now.”

Despite her insistence on ordering pizza, Teneyck sensed that something wasn’t right. The woman didn’t sound intoxicated, and she kept saying she had the right number. It was only when he began to ask subtle questions that the woman played along, continuing with the pizza-related responses. As Teneyck moved forward, he carefully guided the conversation to gather critical information.

Teneyck: “Is the other guy still there?”

Caller: “Yep, I need a large pizza.”

Teneyck: “Alright. How about medical, do you need medical?”

Caller: “No. With pepperoni.”

Thanks to Teneyck’s quick thinking and intuitive response, he understood what was going on. After the call ended, he dispatched police to the address with the order to keep their sirens off until they reached the location. He had successfully used the woman’s clever use of the “pizza” code to alert law enforcement to a domestic violence situation.

The Significance of This Call

While this call wasn’t a standard procedure for emergency dispatchers, Teneyck’s ability to stay calm and read between the lines helped to prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating. As Chief Mike Navarre of the local police department commented, this situation could have ended very differently if Teneyck had not understood the hidden message in the call.

“He utilized his training and his experience to recognize that a woman was in distress,” said Navarre. “We have no way of knowing what would have happened if she didn’t get through.”

This incident not only saved lives but also sparked important changes. The call’s audio is now included in dispatcher training programs to teach future dispatchers how to recognize these subtle signs of distress. As Navarre explained, “A good dispatcher is going to recognize that this is a person who wants to talk and needs help.”

Not Standard Practice, But a Lifesaver

However, this story has also led to some misconceptions. Following the viral success of the call, some individuals began circulating advice on social media, suggesting that people in danger should use “pizza” or other food-related codes when they need to contact emergency services.

While this approach worked in this specific case, Christopher Carver, the dispatch center operations director for the National Emergency Number Association, emphasized that asking for pizza in emergency situations is not standard practice. Setting expectations for such secret codes can be dangerous because not all dispatchers are trained to recognize these cues. It’s essential that callers, especially in a dangerous situation, make sure to provide their location clearly and stay on the line if possible.

Carver’s Warning: “Setting any expectations of secret phrases that will work with any 911 center is potentially very dangerous,” he said. “Dispatchers are trained to ask specific yes or no questions, so it’s important to stay on the line and give as much information as possible.”

In places where texting 911 is available, it’s encouraged to send a message with your location and the nature of your emergency. However, texting 911 is not universally available across all regions.

A Growing Awareness and Safety Strategy

The bravery and quick thinking of both the caller and dispatcher have inspired domestic violence support groups to teach this “pizza” code to victims in danger. By subtly indicating a need for help without alerting the abuser, victims can find a way to reach out for assistance in situations where they may not be able to speak freely.

Since this call, police departments have used the audio in training programs for dispatchers, ensuring that future situations can be handled with the same level of attention and care. Dispatchers are encouraged to recognize the subtle signs of distress, especially when it’s difficult for callers to speak openly.

Moving Forward: Improving Emergency Response Training

While the “pizza” code worked in this case, it’s crucial for both the public and emergency services to understand that it should not be relied upon as a universal method for contacting emergency services. A more effective strategy is making sure that callers can communicate their location and emergency clearly. This ensures that dispatchers can act quickly and send appropriate resources.

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Conclusion

The quick thinking of dispatcher Tim Teneyck and the courageous actions of the woman calling 911 have shown us the importance of training and awareness in emergency response situations. While the “pizza” code may not be standard practice, it underscores how dispatchers’ ability to recognize distress and communicate effectively can make all the difference in a life-threatening situation. By promoting awareness and better training for emergency services, we can help ensure that those in danger have a way to get the help they need when it’s most critical.