Armatage Neighborhood Association

When to Call 911 and Why

Feb 07, 2007

by Chelsea Adams

My name is Chelsea Adams and I?’m the new Crime Prevention Specialist for Sector 3 (Armatage, Kenny, Fulton, Lynnhurst, Tangletown, and Windom). I?’m a civilian who is a liaison between the Police Department and the community to provide information and resources.

I grew up in South Dakota and was told never to call 911 except in an emergency, so I understand the confusion many people have. Minneapolis is actually set up differently. 911 is the best way to get any squad response, as well as document immediate incidences that have occurred in the area.

The police want you to call 911 whenever there is suspicious activity, an emergency, or anything that needs immediate attention; also, if you have had a burglary, even if you realize it several days after the fact, you should still call 911. Every 911 call is answered, but it does depend on the nature of the call as well as the number of other calls that may be waiting as to how soon that happens. There is a priority system in place with 911; basically, Priority One calls are anything that is an emergency. That equates to something like someone is injured, maybe there's a heart attack/immediate health issue, or a crime is occurring at that second. Priority Ones are answered first because time is really of the essence in that case.

Priority Twos and Threes have a more subjective difference; those are calls that are not as absolutely imperative that help is received immediately. It might be someone calling about a loud party, or a suspicious activity call that does not require immediate attention. Any time a Priority One appears, it will probably get answered first, while Twos and Threes are bumped down. If there is a Three call, and then a Two or One appears, those will be answered before the Three. If there are not many calls at the time, then Threes may be answered immediately; but if there are a lot of Priority Ones, then it may take longer for the Twos and Threes to be addressed.

Due to that, if you call 911 and you don't get an immediate response from a squad, it is probably because all the cars are tied up working on other calls. Also, if you call on suspicious activity and describe a vehicle or person, when the police check it out they usually look for the activity rather than the caller. So if, say, you call on a suspicious person, it may be that the police catch the person a few blocks away and you won't know they answered the call or found the person.

If you're ever uncertain if what you want to report is a 911 call, and it's not an emergency or something that you need a squad to come that day, then you can call 311. If it ends up it's a 911 call after all, they will just forward you to 911 so you'll get to the right place you need anyway.

In the case of someone suspicious knocking on your door, definitely call 911. Try to have a description ready when you do. Here is some good information you can tell 911/the police:

If it's regarding a person: What is their estimated height, weight, build, age, race, what are they wearing, and what are any distinguishing features? If it's regarding a vehicle: What is the make, model, year, and license plate number?

For both people and vehicles: What time did they come/go, and what direction were they last seen heading? The more details you notice, the better.