When do you call 9-1-1?
Sometimes you may witness something or have a concern you need addressed, and you need to make a decision about how to report it. Do you call 911? Non-emergency? Or, do you email one of your helpful elected officials? Hopefully, I can help clarify some of the mystery.
Before answering this question, I need to explain why it is important to report law enforcement issues through the dispatch system. When you utilize the dispatch system to make a report, that call and the circumstances surrounding it are electronically documented. This documentation allows the Sheriff's Office to pull real statistical data about what is going on in Maywood. We use this data to make decisions on staffing and other resource allocation. It also tells us if there is a new or growing problem in the city and makes our Deputies aware of these issues.
Please call 911 if there is an immediate threat to health, to life, to property, or there is a crime in progress. Some examples might be:
• A vehicle crash with injuries
• Someone is actively breaking into your neighbor's house
• You witness a fight in progress
• Someone is lying on the sidewalk and is unresponsive
• You hear gunshots
Please call non-emergency (503-823-3333) when there is no immediate threat to health, life, property, or to report a crime that occurred at another time. Some examples might be.
• You realize someone prowled your car last night
• A complaint about noise
• Parking complaints
• Someone stole your bike while you were on vacation
When in doubt, or you are unsure about a situation, call 911!
I will add that even though the wait when calling non-emergency can be time consuming and frustrating, it will often result in much faster police response than contacting one of your city leaders, because they will contact your Sheriffs Office Liaison who will contact the on-duty Patrol Sergeant, who will contact the District Deputy. Additionally, something that can speed up the non-emergency wait time is calling during non-peak hours, such as early in the morning or in the evening.
And finally, if you have questions or concerns about issues surrounding houselessness you can contact the MCSO Homeless Outreach and Programs Engagement Team by emailing HOPE@mcso.us
Please have a safe and healthy summer,
Lieutenant Doug Asboe
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office