Neighbors,
Here is an informative post from The Lineberry Alliance blog discussing when to call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number, 831-6311.
Officer Weber briefly discussed the difference at our last meeting.
I've copied the post in full below.
Best, Vanessa
9-1-1 vs The Non-Emergency Number
August 26th, 2010 by Jason Hibbets
On our neighborhood email list, we’ve had lots of discussion about quality of life issues such as noise complaints, parties, fireworks, parking violations etc. Needless to say, people are confused on when to dial 9-1-1 versus the non-emergency number (919) 831-6311. The Pleasant Ridge & Ramsgate Community Watch program has helped educate neighbors about 9-1-1 and sponsored tours of the 9-1-1 center in the past.
I decided to ask Walt Fuller, Deputy Director of Operations for Raleigh-Wake County Emergency Communications Center to help clarify some of the confusion. Our Q&A is below:
1) What happens when a call comes in to the Raleigh-Wake County Emergency Communications Center for a Raleigh Police officer?
The call taker processes the call and gets the callers name, address, and phone number. They then ask what happened. Based on what the caller advises the call taker assigns the incident an Incident Class. The Incident Class has a predetermined Priority Code which determines how fast we have to get the call dispatched.
2) How are calls to the non-emergency number dispatched to Raleigh Police Department?
The same people answer the non-emergency numbers that come into the Center. We do not handle the {RPD District] Front Desk lines. The Call Taker goes through the same process to determine what the caller needs and makes a dispatch if necessary.
3) Are calls to the non-emergency number recorded?
All telephone and radio traffic coming into and going out of the Center is recorded.
4) Are calls to 9-1-1 and the non-emergency number answered by the same communications specialists?
All lines coming into the center are answered by the same people. However, we have dedicated Call Takers who’s primary job is to answer incoming 9-1-1 lines.
5) If someone is calling about parking violations, loud music, loud noise (after 11pm), or a nuisance party violation, should they call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number?
Either way is fine. As mentioned above, the same people answer the phone. It is easier to process a 9-1-1 call as opposed to a 10-digit call because all we have to do is verify the address on 9-1-1 as opposed to manually entering the address info.
6) What kind of details should callers be ready with for parking, loud music, loud noise , or nuisance party violations?
On every call, emergency or non-emergency, we will always need the callers name, address, address of the incident, call back number ,and what is going on. From there we will ask questions based on the nature of the call.
7) What if a caller wishes to remain anonymous about a parking violation, loud music, loud noise , or nuisance party complaint?
We will always ask for the callers name and phone number simply to have something to call back if the officer, fire unit, or EMS unit needs further information. If the caller doesn’t wish to leave their information, we make a note in the call comments field that the caller wishes to remain anonymous, so the responders are aware.
Where can people go to find out more information about the Raleigh-Wake County Emergency Communications Center?
We are on the City of Raleigh web site under Public Safety. We have tabs for employment, history, stats, social sites and other info available.
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If it is a rose, it will come into bloom sooner or later.
--Goethe