A 10-year-old Shawano County boy called 911 last week because he needed help with his math homework.
According to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Chase Mason wrote in his report that he was also not “overly competent when it came to math,” but “nevertheless, I responded to assist” on Nov. 15.
Together, the boy and the deputy were able to solve an eighth-grade decimal math problem. The sheriff’s office released the audio of the 911 call on Friday.
“Hey, um, it’s not really an emergency, I just need help with one math problem on my homework,” the boy said. “It’s like an eighth-grade level. I’m sorry I wasted your time.’
“I’m not very good at math, honey. But I can try,” coordinator Kim Krause replied.
Shawano County 911 dispatcher Kim Krause.
The boy then recited a confusingly worded math problem.
“I’m afraid I’m not good at that,” Kruse said. “I bet I can send someone to help you.”
The boy said his mother would be home in an hour and she could solve the problem, but his adult relatives were currently sleeping and “they’re not very good at (math).”
Deputy Mason responded to preserve the boy’s report.
The sheriff’s office said Friday that no further comment would be made and that the boy and his family would decline interviews from the media.
Last week, Deputy Mason responded to an unusual 911 call. This call came from a 10 year old who called to say he…
Posted by Shawano Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Although Mason gave an interview to WBAY-TV in Green Bay.
“He came right to the door to meet me, then I walked into the house and sat at the kitchen table,” Mason said. ‘He already had his math ready for me. He indicated exactly what matters he needed help with.
“I didn’t have the heart to tell him I wasn’t very good at math either, but I was going to do my best.”
After solving the problem, Mason gave the boy his business card and reminded him to use 911 only in emergencies.
“It was a positive connection and a good thing to see the community showing that we are here to help people in any way we can, especially in a small community like ours,” Mason said.
“When he goes to school and all the students see it, they’re going to think it’s so cool,” the deputy added. “Hopefully next time they won’t all call me for math help.”
This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 10-year-old Wisconsin boy calls 911 for help with his math homework
