TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
baby_phone_submain.jpg

Don't play with the phone

BY Dave Ross  on February 22, 2013 @ 6:10 am (Updated: 8:39 am - 2/22/13 )

I was a curious kid, and I would sometimes pick up the telephone and just try dialing numbers. One time I was at grandma's house doing this, and a voice comes on. It was the operator - the telephone company had live operators in the 50's - and she says, 'Are you playing with phone? You shouldn't play with the phone.'

I was terrified. Back then there was only one phone company, and to be in trouble with the whole phone system? I just hung up and ran.

So I can identify with 10-year-old Dan Davis, the boy in Brockton Massachusetts who got so angry when his mom sent him to bed early, he told her he was going to call 911.

"He really did pick up the phone and do it, and I was a little shocked," said Dan's mom.

He punched in 911 - and then just hung up. But you can't just call 911 and hang up. They're going to call you back.

Mom: Hello? 911: Hello, this is 911. Somebody just called from there. Mom: Yeah, it was my son. My 10-year-old son.

And they're going to send an officer.

Mom: He doesn't want to come to the phone, I'm sorry. 911: I have to send somebody out anyway. Mom: Okay. That's alright.

Mom said absolutely send an officer - who found Dan hiding under the covers, because according to Dan, he was embarrassed.

But as Dan told Boston's WBZ, he learned his lesson. "You only use the phone for an emergency like car crash, somebody hurting you, a fire."

He is grounded for two weeks, and after doing the TV interview, he was sent to bed early. But he did get himself on TV and at least he didn't have to answer to the phone company.

Only the police.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (7)


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  • William Lawn wrote...
    What was it? Is your refrigerator running?
    February 22, 2013 6:34 am
    Better go catch it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Anybody seen the Dave Ross topic today?
    February 22, 2013 8:07 am
    It must be around here someplace. :-)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lonestar wrote...
    That's a 10-year old?
    February 22, 2013 8:32 am
    So much for journalistic integrity. But how can you not love a cute baby.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    Dave
    February 22, 2013 11:04 am
    What are your plans for retirement?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rikki Doxx wrote...
    That's A 10 Year Old?
    February 22, 2013 12:16 pm
    No way - looks more like either 3 or 4, maybe 5 tops. Some reporter must have used another picture. Right on that media integrity.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rikki Doxx wrote...
    I Have To Add
    February 22, 2013 12:19 pm
    If he was calling 9-1-1 who took the picture of him with the cell phone. And being that close couldn't the person hear what the kid was saying? Right, journalistic integrity flew out the window on this one. Didn't KTTH look at the picture before posting it on their web and say "hey, wait a minute here?"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kcandjc00 wrote...
    Horrible Lack of Parenting
    February 22, 2013 2:54 pm
    ANOTHER PARENT WHO OUT OF LAZYNESS THINKS IT IS UP TO POLICE AND GOVERNMENT TO RAISE THEIR KIDS. THIS MAKES ME SICK
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }