Here’s a quick mental checklist. If you can answer “no” to these questions, you’re in non-emergency territory: Is someone actively dying or being hurt right now? Is there a fire that’s bigger than your toaster? Is a crime happening in this second, in front of your eyes? No? Great. Put the phone down. Now find the non-emergency number.
Every police department has one. It’s usually a ten-digit number, not three. If you don’t know it, just Google “[Your City] police non-emergency number.” Boom. It’s that easy. Or, if you’re old-school, check your phone book. Yes, those still exist. They’re like ancient scrolls for boomers.
