‘Uh-huh … McGriddle’: Man Fearing Break-In Says 911 Dispatcher Was Ordering McDonald’s

A Georgia man’s urgent call to 911 about a possible break-in was met with an unsettling level of distraction from the dispatcher, who appeared to be preoccupied with a McDonald’s breakfast order during the emergency. The incident, which took place on February 14, 2025, was part of a broader investigation by local CBS affiliate WTOC into issues at Chatham County’s 911 call center. The investigation revealed that thousands of emergency calls are abandoned every month due to slow or inadequate responses from dispatchers.

A Frantic Call for Help

Dylan Johnson, a resident of Windsor Forest, Georgia, was at work when his wife called him in a panic, saying that someone was trying to break into their home. “My wife was home alone with my five-month-old daughter, and I was coming home not knowing what I was going to come home to,” Johnson told WTOC. His wife reported hearing someone knocking on doors and banging on windows, which left her frightened and alone in the house. In a frantic attempt to get help, Johnson called the county’s nonemergency line, but when he didn’t get through, he dialed 911 three times before someone finally answered. Unfortunately, the dispatcher who responded was seemingly distracted and not fully focused on the emergency. As Johnson began explaining the situation, the dispatcher could be heard placing a breakfast order, saying, “Uh-huh … McGriddle … uh-huh …” before returning to the call with, “I’m sorry, what?”

Police Response and Aftermath

Despite the dispatcher’s distraction, police were eventually dispatched to Johnson’s home. However, by the time officers arrived, the alleged intruder had already fled. Johnson reported that his family was shaken but unharmed. While the incident could have turned out far worse, the distraction of the dispatcher raised serious concerns about the effectiveness and professionalism of the 911 call center during critical situations. Chatham County officials have responded to the incident with concern. County Chairman Chester Ellis was questioned about the “McGriddle” call, and he expressed dismay, stating, “That should never happen, OK? Ordering breakfast should be different from answering a call. The two should never intertwine.” He assured the public that the situation was under review, though no immediate updates have been provided on the status of the review.

Investigation Reveals Larger Issues at Chatham County 911 Center

The incident involving Johnson’s call is just one example of larger systemic issues within Chatham County’s 911 dispatch system. WTOC’s investigation uncovered that thousands of calls are abandoned each month due to delays and a lack of responsiveness from dispatchers. While some calls go unanswered or are abandoned due to long hold times, others are mishandled as dispatchers juggle personal tasks, as seen with the McDonald’s order during Johnson’s emergency call.

The investigation has raised questions about the efficiency of the county’s emergency services and the need for improved training and accountability. As the review of this particular incident continues, it remains to be seen what steps will be taken to address the broader issues plaguing the 911 call center. While Johnson’s family was fortunate that the situation didn’t escalate further, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of professionalism and focus in emergency response situations.