Originally Posted by
lalifeguards Not much attention has been paid to the definition of "non emergency number". Most cities have 911 for immediate threat to life and property and a 'non emergency number' such as 311 for all other city related calls. However, in most jurisdictions, the proper number to call for loud partys, suspicious activity, or any other non emergency police request, would be neither of those numbers. The correct number to call is your 10 digit local police department/ precinct. Look it up in your phonebook and save it. You can even assign it to a speed dial for faster access. Hold down the number you assign it to and it will dial all 10 digits automatically. Its even faster than dialing 911 (911 is 4 buttons, 9-1-1 [send], while speed-dial is only one key press). Most times you will even get through to an operator faster than if callling 911. Remember - immediate threat to life or property- 911, all other police related calls- local precinct, NOT 311. I would even suggest that in the situations where you are describing that the beeps will compromise your location, it may be wiser to use that local number on speed dial, which will eliminate the beeps and get you to a live operator who has the ability to dispatch police units just as well as a 911 operator can. P.S. I am an operator for a vol EMS.
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