Q: Is it OK to call 911 if there’s no immediate emergency? What if I want to report ongoing suspicious activity, or have a crime-related question?
A: There are several ways, especially with new Internet technology for the public to communicate with us and to get information. Of course if there is any emergency situation or offense in progress, call 911. We also want you to call 911 if you see suspicious activity — a stranger looking over someone’s fence, for instance. Some people worry that they might bump someone with a more pressing emergency by doing that, but that isn’t so. We have a system in place by which calls are prioritized. To talk to us about ongoing activities or nuisances, and the like, you may contact the Northeast Substation at 214-670-4415 and ask for a supervisor. Reminder: if there is an emergency, don’t call the station, call 911, that’s where they dispatch the help so it will get there faster. As we go in to 2009, we hope to remind everyone that they can access a lot of useful information at our website, northeast.dallaspolice.net. This includes public access to up-to-date police reports and info about getting involved your neighborhood crime watch groups. These types of volunteer organizations are very effective at helping us minimize crime in the areas in which they operate.
