woman in Florida found herself in a perilous situation but received unexpected assistance from Pizza Hut.
According to WFLA, Cheryl Treadway managed to escape a hostage ordeal thanks to her cell phone and a local Pizza Hut.
On May 4, 2015, in Highlands County, Florida, Treadway used the Pizza Hut app on her phone to order a small hand-tossed pepperoni pizza. Along with her order, she included a message for the store, revealing that she was being held hostage and urgently requesting help.
At that time, Treadway and her children were in a dangerous situation with her boyfriend, Ethan Nickerson, who was threatening them with a knife. After receiving her order, the Pizza Hut staff promptly contacted the police, who quickly arrived at her home and arrested Nickerson.
TOP CLICKED: Pizza ordering app saves woman in hostage situation. Story: http://t.co/NBDFdQJfJ7 pic.twitter.com/V1YWepftN9
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) May 6, 2015
Domestic violence impacts around 4 million women annually. Although Treadway’s experience ended positively, many others are not as fortunate. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced physical violence from a current or former partner.
Treadway’s narrative reminds us of a powerful anti-domestic violence public service announcement that aired during this year’s Super Bowl. In the PSA, a woman pretends to order a pizza while actually speaking to the police.
Even though No More, the organization behind the PSA, may not be perfect, the message it conveys remains crucial.
The situation depicted in the PSA has occurred in real life, as shared by a 911 operator on Reddit.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers numerous resources for individuals trapped in abusive situations, including a safety planning tool.
This tool is invaluable for survivors seeking a way out, providing information on various types of plans, advice on leaving an abusive relationship, and basic legal guidelines.
For those of us not in such relationships, it may seem straightforward to just leave, but for many survivors, the reality is far more complicated.
This highlights the importance of 911 operators, police officers, and all of us being able to understand the nuances in these situations.
What if the manager at Pizza Hut hadn’t thought to dial 911 in Treadway’s case? What if the operator in the public service announcement missed the caller’s plea for help? Fortunately, they didn’t. However, it’s crucial to remember that not every signal will be as obvious as a bright road flare. Sometimes, individuals are reaching out for assistance, and we may not be paying attention.
Fortunately, there are those who are attentive. By doing so, they are making a difference and saving lives.
