When Should I Call 911?

Melani Caron

We want to remind all residents how important it is to call the police for emergencies. Patrol often receives phone calls for emergencies, thus, delaying the response time from our local responders. The following is a guide for when to call 911 to report emergencies:

You should only call 911 in an emergency. It is appropriate to call in circumstances where:

• You or your neighbor’s house is on fire

• You witness or are involved in a car accident

• There is a crime in progress

• Someone becomes dangerously ill

• Someone is choking

• Someone is unconscious

• Someone is poisoned

• Someone is drowning

• You see a sparking electrical hazard

• Any threat of immediate danger

It is important that you call 911 in urgent emergency situations only. There is no charge for this. If you call 911 unnecessarily or for a non-emergency, you might be tying up the operator’s time while he/she could be providing assistance to someone who is in a life-threatening situation.