• You want to report a nuisance, such as a noise or parking complaint. 
• To report a non-emergency crime - one that did not just occur, and the suspects are not in the immediate area. 
• You have questions about something suspicious occurring in your neighborhood, and you are not sure it is criminal activity.

The call taker will determine how to best handle the call. In some cases, the information will be taken and the caller will get a call back from the telephone reporting unit and a report may be taken over the phone.

Here are some tips to help remember what to do when they are on the phone with 9-1-1: 

• Remember to stay calm and speak slowly.
• Know your location.
• Tell the call taker about the emergency.
• Speak up loud and clear when the 9-1-1 call taker asks you questions.
• Stay on the phone until the 9-1-1 call taker tells you to hang up.

If you ever need to call 9-1-1, a call taker is ready to help you. Just remember that 9-1-1 is for emergencies only - never as a joke! 

Pierce County receives over 12,000 9-1-1 calls per month.  
It's important to only call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Here are some reasons when you should NOT call 911.

• For information & directory assistance
• When you're bored and just want to talk
• For paying traffic tickets
• For your pet
• As a prank

If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, do not hang up. Tell the call taker what happened so they know there really isn't an emergency.

What about 9-1-1 prank calls?

It's a prank call when someone calls 9-1-1 for a joke, or calls 9-1-1 and hangs up. Prank calls not only waste time and money, but can also be dangerous. If 9-1-1 lines or call takers are busy with prank calls, someone with a real emergency may not be able to get the help they need. In most places, it's against the law to make prank 9-1-1 calls.

Learn more about using 9-1-1