INC NEWS - Durham 911 Center Debuts Non-Emergency Number

[Blalock, Amy]

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

 

 

News Release

 

For Details, Contact:

Amy C. Blalock

Senior Public Affairs Specialist

(919) 560-4123 x 253

(919) 475-7735 (cell)

Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov <mailto:Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov> 

 

For Immediate Release:  December 5, 2008

 

Durham 911 Center Debuts Non-Emergency Number

Non-Emergency Number Frees Up 911 Lines for Life Threatening Emergencies

 

Durham, N.C. - Barking dogs...loud music...burglaries occurring hours or
days earlier...vandalism to public or private property.  These are just
a few examples of the types of calls that can now be reported to
Durham's new, non-emergency phone number.

 

The new number, (919) 560-4600, was established by the Durham Emergency
Communication Center (DECC) to free up 911 lines for life threatening or
in-progress emergencies.  According to Jim Soukup, director of the DECC,
the non-emergency number is an ideal way for residents to report events
that do not need an immediate response by a public safety agency.  

 

"I have read on community list servs and responded to countless
inquiries from citizens who need to report something, such as a stolen
flower pot or a barking dog, but don't know of another way to do so
other than using 911," Soukup said.  "Given the community need for a way
to report an event that doesn't rise to the level of life threatening or
in-progress emergencies, we felt a new number to call would be
beneficial to ensuring our 911 lines are free for people who need
immediate help and our non-emergency line would be ideal for reporting
non-emergency problems or concerns."

 

According to Soukup, all incidents reported through the non-emergency
line are tracked the same as if the call was received on the 911 lines.
"All calls received on the non-emergency line are still received
directly into the DECC," Soukup said.  "We still track the information
and report it as normal to the appropriate agency.  However, the 911
lines take precedent and by citizens using the non-emergency line for
these types of incidents and events, the 911 lines remain open for
people who do have life-threatening emergencies.  Of course, if anyone
is ever in doubt as to which number to call, they should use 911."

 

For more information about the DECC or the new, non-emergency phone
number, contact Soukup at (919) 560-4191 or via e-mail at 
james.soukup at durhamnc.gov. 

 

About Durham Emergency Communications Center 

The Durham Emergency Communications Center (DECC) is dedicated to
promoting, preserving, and protecting the safety and security of all
citizens in Durham.  The DECC provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week 911
access to citizens and user agencies in and around Durham County.
Services include emergency and non-emergency requests as well as
dispatch for police, fire, EMS, and other City/County support agencies.
To learn more, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/911. 

 

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