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How
to report an in-progress emergency?
Here are some questions that you will most likely
be asked by the 9-1-1
operator when you report a call that is "in
progress" (taking place at the time you call.) If
you can give the operator this information, you will
reduce the number of questions that will have to be
asked, and speed the police or fire response. There
will be other things they need to know, so bear with
the operator so that the appropriate response can be
given. Remember: Help is already on the way as you
talk to the operator - they are just gathering more
information for the responding units.
I
am calling from . . . (where you are now - the
address)
to report a . . .
(type of incident; i.e.,
burglary, shoplift, assault, etc.)
that is happening at . . .
(where this is
occurring)
My name is . . .
(your name and job title if on the
job)
The person(s) doing this are . . .
(where they are
exactly)
The suspects(s) is described as . . .
(for each
person involved)
Race:
(White, Black, Asian, Indian, etc.)
Sex:
(Male, Female)
Age:
(Best Guess)
Height: (Best Guess)
Weight:
(Best Guess)
Hair:
(Black, Brown, Blond, Bald,
etc.)
Eyes:(Brown,
Black, Blue, Hazel, etc.)
Clothes:
(from top to bottom)
The
suspect(s) are associated with a car described as. . .
Color:
(Blue, Red,
White, etc.)
Year: (Best Guess)
Make: (Best Guess)
Model: (Best Guess)
License Number:
(Numbers,
Letters, State)
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Suspicious Vehicles
Slow moving vehicles.
Burglars sometimes look for their target by driving
aimlessly about passing the same location repeatedly.
Parked, occupied vehicles. Burglars also will park their
car and strike the home of someone they see leaving.
Vans and trucks. Be wary of a large vehicle you’ve never
seen before parked next to a home or in a driveway.
Verify with the homeowner/resident that it belongs
there. Remember, trust your instincts. If you observe
something that just doesn’t seem right, follow through.
Don’t say to yourself, “It’s probably nothing and
besides, the police are probably too busy to check it
out.” Actually, police officers would much rather
respond to your call and have it result in a false alarm
than to miss an opportunity to prevent a crime or
apprehend a criminal.
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Suspicious
Persons
 Someone
going door-to-door in a residential area.
Burglars often case an area by simply
knocking on doors to see if
anyone is home. If a stranger knocks on your
door, take the time to
acknowledge them. If you don’t, you may
unwittingly be sending a burglar on to continue
their search for an easy target.
Non-residents entering a yard. Be
wary of strangers you see entering a neighbor’s
property. Try
calling your neighbor and then call the police
if you are still unsure.
Waiting in front of a house. If
you see a stranger loitering near a home you
know to be unoccupied, they may be acting as a
lookout for a burglary.
Forcing entrance to a home or
vehicle. Some burglars are so brazen that a
casual observer may assume that someone has
simply locked themselves out. Be alert!
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There
will be additional things that the operator and
responding units will need to know, and they will ask
you. Some things will need to be clarified. Be patient
with the operator and remember: Help is on the way!
Each year
millions of cellular telephone calls regarding roadside
emergencies and life-threatening accidents pour into New
Jersey's emergency call centers. The calls come in through
the motorists use of the 9-1-1 System, the #77 Aggressive
Driver System, and various other cellular hotlines that have
been established. It is very important to use the
appropriate system to report incidents you observe, so that
the right priority is given to your call and it is properly
directed.
Generally,
9-1-1 should be used to report life-threatening emergencies,
such as motor vehicle accidents, disabled motor vehicles,
all suspected criminal activity, and other general
emergencies requiring immediate police or medical service
response. 9-1-1 calls are priority calls and services are
dispatched immediately.
The #77
Aggressive Driver System should be used to report aggressive
or erratic driving that poses a risk to other motorists on
the roadway. While these calls are important, 9-1-1 calls
are prioritized over #77 calls as required by law. In #77
call response, police services are made aware of the report
and respond according to availability and proximity to the
incident, as well as, seriousness of the report. This system
should not be used to report 9-1-1 emergencies. |
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e
9-1-1 should only be
used for an emergency. An
emergency is a life-threatening situation, crime in progress,
serious crime that has just occurred etc; Critical Needs Information. Obviously there are other
situations that require police response but are not really
9-1-1 type
calls. For those, use: 972-266-5000-01. When you call
9-1-1 for an
emergency, it is important that you remain calm and are prepared to
answer the dispatcher’s questions. 
