Show All Answers

1. How do I report a crime, accident or suspicious activity?

Call 911. All law enforcement agencies within St. Croix County are dispatched through the St. Croix County Emergency Communications Center. The Emergency Communications Center is the best place to start, as the Telecommunicators can assess the nature of your call and send the appropriate agency depending upon circumstances and jurisdiction.

2. Can I call 911 from a pay phone?

Yes.  There is no charge for emergency 911 calls.

3. Can someone who does not speak English call 911?

Yes. St. Croix County Emergency Communications subscribes to a translation service, which provides access to interpreters who speak many languages.  These services are available 24 hours every day.

4. What if I am hearing impaired?

Our 911 center is equipped with a Telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD).  This device will detect an incoming call from a device used by the hearing impaired and allows them to report an emergency via a keyboard device directly to a 911 Telecommunicator.

5. How does the 911 Telecommunicator know my address?

Many times your address and telephone number are provided by the 911 system.  The Telecommunicator will always ask you to confirm your address and phone number.

6. What should I do if I have been the victim of a crime?

Call 911. If your initial report is made immediately following an incident, an officer is dispatched to the scene or location of the incident.  The responding officer will make a determination on what sort of follow-up action is required.

7. Should I report suspicious activity that I observe?

Absolutely!  Officers cannot be everywhere at once.  Law enforcement depends on citizens calling to report crimes or suspicious activity.  The Telecommunicator that takes your call will ask questions about the activity and descriptions of the people or vehicles involved.  You may also be asked if an officer may contact you to follow up.

8. When should I call 911?

Anytime you feel an emergency response is needed. Generally this involves threats to life, health and property. This includes incidents that are happening, incidents that just happened or when you have suspect information.

Examples of When to Call 911

• You see an uncontrolled fire
• You see or smell unexplained smoke
• Your or someone with you is in danger
• A crime is being committed or just occurred
• You believe an ambulance is needed for someone who is injured or sick
• You feel you are in danger of bodily harm
• Someone is attempting to get into your house
• Suspicious person in prowling around your house or your neighborhood
• A child is in danger

9. What are some examples of when not to call 911?

Do not call for any of the following reasons:

• To obtain weather or road conditions
• To report power outages, phone or water problems.
• To ask for directions or road names
• For general information or for police or jail reports
• To report keys locked in a vehicle, unless someone's safety is at risk. (Child locked in the vehicle)
• To request a taxi
• To find out times of scheduled events (i.e. parades, concerts, curfews)

10. What do I do if I accidently dialed 911?

If you accidentally dial 911 or hear the Telecommunicator answer “911 Emergency, How may I assist you?” Please do not hang up. All you need to do is explain that you have dialed the wrong number. The Telecommunicator may confirm with you by asking a few questions, to ensure you are safe and that there is no problem. If you do hang up without talking to a Telecommunicator the following will occur:

• The Telecommunicator will try to recontact you.
• If the Telecommunicator is unable to re-establish contact, law enforcement will be dispatched to respond. It is our policy to send police officers when a 911 caller hangs up, and cannot re-contact the caller.

11. What information should I have ready when calling 911?

When contacting 911 have the following information:

• The reason why you are calling
• The address or location the responders need to find.

12. What is 911?

911 is an emergency telephone number that provides expedient access to law enforcement, fire and rescue departments and emergency medical services. 911 is the number most people in the U.S and some in International countries call to get help in a police, fire or medical emergency. A 911 call goes over dedicated phone lines to the 911 answering point closest to the caller, and trained personnel then send the emergency help as needed.

13. What is Enhanced 911?

Enhanced 911, or E911, is a system which routes an emergency call to the 911 center closest to the caller, and automatically displays the caller’s phone number and address. The 911 Telecommunicator will typically ask the caller to verify the information, which appears on his or her computer screen.

14. What happens if I don't know my exact location when I call 911?

At times, during emergency situations such as traffic accidents, you may not know your exact location. The Telecommunicator will ask you a series of questions to help determine your exact location. When calling from a landline or a mobile phone Telecommunicators will be able to determine your general location.  You will be asked to provide more detailed information if needed.

15. Why do Telecommunicators ask so many questions when I call 911?

Telecommunicators are trained to get as much information as possible. Questions are asked to obtain details related to your emergency. Depending on the nature of the call questions may be asked in order to help provide the caller with first aid instructions, life and personal safety instructions, the severity of injury, locations, people/property involved, etc. The information provided by callers will assist the responders in determining what they will need in order to keep others safe and out of harm’s way. Telecommunicators are trained to multi-task and will often be dispatching emergency response units while talking to you.

16. Why does my cell phone call 911 by accident?

Many of us use our cell phones, hang up and do not lock the key pad.  Many cell phones are preprogrammed to call 911 when a quick key or the “9” key is pressed.  Be sure to lock your key pad so 911 is not accidentally dialed.