911 or Non-Emergency?
When to call The Non-Emergency Number
We all know to call 911 in an emergency, but did you know there is a non-emergency number, 407-836-HELP (4357) for reporting suspicious activity, parking complaints or after-the-fact crimes (such as auto burglary)? An emergency includes serious medical situations, crimes in progress, physical disturbances, traffic crashes with injuries, and all life threatening or potentially life threatening situations.
Non-emergency calls are routine calls for service such as:
- traffic crashes with no injury
- roadblock
- theft of property (when suspect is gone)
- vandalism (when suspect is gone)
- animal complaints
- loud music
- lost or found property.
In an Emergency Call 9-1-1
STAY ON THE LINE
If you call 9-1-1 and your call is not answered quickly, stay on the line and let it ring. DO NOT HANG UP! Operators answer calls in the order they received. During peak times operators get extremely busy. If you hang up and call back, your call will be placed in the back of the queue. Your call will be answered as quickly as possible, and hanging up will only delay our response.
Be Ready to Answer These Questions
Name
You will be asked your name and if you want to meet with a deputy
Contact Info
We ask you the phone number where you can be reached if we need to call back or if we get disconnected
Location
When you call 9-1-1from a cell phone, be able to tell us where your help is needed. This is critical information we need to have.
Give the address; include building number, apartment/suite number. If you do not have that information, tell us the name of the business or intersection you are near.
Try to be aware of your surroundings. Make a real effort to be as detailed as possible. If you are outside and don’t know the street address; take a look around and try to find landmarks or cross streets. If you are inside a large building or one with multiple levels, you can help emergency services, by letting them know which floor you are on, which apartment you are in, etc.
Time Lapse
When did the crime/incident occur?
Weapons
Are there any weapons? What type of weapon? (Gun, rifle, knife, machete, etc.) What hand is weapon in? Where is the weapon now?
Injuries
Is anyone injured? (you will possibly hear clicks on the phone and a second voice asking you questions as well if you answer yes)
Subject
Is the subject still there? What does the subject look like? (Race, gender, clothing description, etc.)
What is the subject’s name? Is the subject on foot or in a vehicle? Is the subject carrying anything? Is the subject known to the caller? Where is the subject possibly going?
Vehicles
What is the description of the car? (Year, make, model, dents, stickers, etc.) What is the tag number? What is the direction of travel of the subject?
Accidental Call
If your call was by mistake or by accident, Do Not hang up. Simply tell the operator there is no emergency. This will save the operator from having to call you back to confirm there is no emergency, or possibly sending deputies to your location. This avoids valuable resources from being tied up from people who really need them.
Do not Call 911...
- To ask for telephone numbers
- During a storm to report the power is out at your home, unless it is an emergency. Call your local electric company
- To ask for non-emergency transportation
- To speak with a detective regarding an ongoing investigation
- For information on court dates or times, bail amounts, whether or not someone is in custody or hours of visitation at the jail
Additional Phone Numbers
3-1-1 Orange County Non-Emergency Help and Information
3-1-1 Connects you with local government services. They can help you with animal concerns, neighborhood inquiries, traffic matters, road conditions and more.
2-1-1 Crisis & Elder Hotline
4-1-1 Telephone Information
5-1-1 Traffic Information
6-1-1 Telephone Repair
7-1-1 Hearing Impaired
8-1-1 Call Before You Dig
