For non-emergency police assistance in Alabama, you **do not** call 911. 911 is reserved for true emergencies where there is an immediate threat to life or property. Instead, you should call the specific non-emergency number for the **local police department or sheriff's office** in the city or county where the incident is occurring. Here's how to find the correct non-emergency number and when to use it: **I. When to Call Non-Emergency Police:** You should use the non-emergency line for situations that require police response but are not immediate life-or-death threats or crimes in progress. Examples include: - **Reporting a crime that has already occurred:** - Vandalism or property damage (when the suspect is not present) - Theft (when the suspect is not present) - Lost or found property - Minor hit-and-run accidents (where no one is injured and the vehicles are not blocking traffic) - **Reporting suspicious activity that is not an immediate threat:** - Suspicious persons or vehicles (not actively committing a crime) - Concerns about a potential nuisance - **Non-emergency situations requiring police presence:** - Loud parties or noise complaints - Abandoned vehicles - Requesting a welfare check on someone (if there's no immediate danger) - General questions for the police department - Requesting an officer for documentation or insurance purposes (e.g., after a minor accident) **II. How to Find the Non-Emergency Number:** 1. **Search Online for Your Local Police/Sheriff's Department:** - The most reliable way is to do a quick online search for "[City Name] Police Department non-emergency number" or "[County Name] Sheriff's Office non-emergency number." For example: "Birmingham Police Department non-emergency," "Mobile County Sheriff's Office non-emergency." - Most police department websites will prominently display their non-emergency contact information. 2. **Examples of Non-Emergency Numbers for Major Alabama Cities:** - **Birmingham Police Department:** (205) 328-9311 - **Montgomery Police Department:** (334) 241-2651 - **Mobile Police Department:** (251) 208-7211 - **Huntsville Police Department:** (256) 722-7100 - **Tuscaloosa Police Department:** (205) 349-2121 - **Auburn Police Department:** (334) 501-3100 - **Dothan Police Department:** (334) 615-3000 - **Gadsden Police Department:** (256) 549-4500 - **Madison Police Department:** (256) 722-7190 3. **County Sheriff's Offices:** If you are in a rural area or outside of a city's incorporated limits, you will typically contact the **County Sheriff's Office**. Search for their specific non-emergency number. For example: - **Shelby County Sheriff's Office:** (205) 670-6000 - **Mobile County Sheriff's Office:** (251) 574-8633 - **Baldwin County Sheriff's Office:** (251) 937-0202 4. **Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA):** For state-level non-emergency situations, such as inquiries related to Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), or other statewide law enforcement matters, you would contact ALEA. Their website provides various department-specific numbers. - **General ALEA:** (334) 676-6000 - **Highway Patrol (various troop posts):** Numbers vary by location (e.g., Birmingham 205-324-3778, Montgomery 334-274-0196). Check the ALEA website for the specific post closest to you. - **SBI Crime Hotline:** 1-800-392-8011 (for reporting general criminal activity confidentially) **III. Important Notes:** - **Do NOT call 911 for non-emergencies.** This can tie up emergency lines and delay response for true emergencies. - **Be prepared to provide details.** When you call, be ready to describe the situation, location, time of occurrence, and any individuals or vehicles involved. - **Online Reporting:** Some police departments in Alabama may offer online reporting for certain non-emergency crimes (e.g., minor thefts, vandalism) where there are no suspects or immediate danger. Check your local department's website for this option. If you're in **Alabama** and need to contact **non-emergency police** services, here’s how you can access resources in various cities and counties. Non-emergency police numbers are for reporting incidents like noise complaints, suspicious activity, vandalism, or to request general assistance that does not involve an immediate threat to life or property. --- ### **1. Statewide Non-Emergency Police Information** - **Alabama State Troopers (Non-Emergency)**: - **Phone**: **334-242-4371** - **Purpose**: For assistance on state highways, reporting unsafe driving, or requesting help not requiring immediate dispatch. - **Website**: [alea.gov](https://www.alea.gov) --- ### **2. Birmingham Police Department** - **Phone (Non-Emergency)**: **205-328-9311** - **Website**: [birminghamal.gov](https://www.birminghamal.gov) - **Services**: - Reporting minor crimes or disturbances. - Requesting wellness checks. - General inquiries or crime prevention advice. --- ### **3. Mobile Police Department** - **Phone (Non-Emergency)**: **251-208-7211** - **Website**: [mobilepd.org](https://www.mobilepd.org) - **Services**: - Noise complaints or property-related issues. - Non-urgent assistance from police officers. - Community outreach and resources. --- ### **4. Montgomery Police Department** - **Phone (Non-Emergency)**: **334-241-2651** - **Website**: [montgomeryal.gov](https://www.montgomeryal.gov) - **Services**: - Reporting suspicious activity. - Traffic-related inquiries or minor accidents. - Neighborhood watch program support. --- ### **5. Huntsville Police Department** - **Phone (Non-Emergency)**: **256-722-7100** - **Website**: [huntsvilleal.gov](https://www.huntsvilleal.gov) - **Services**: - Filing reports for minor crimes. - Non-urgent police presence requests. - Assistance with local ordinances. --- ### **6. Tuscaloosa Police Department** - **Phone (Non-Emergency)**: **205-349-2121** - **Website**: [tuscaloosa.com](https://www.tuscaloosa.com) - **Services**: - Addressing non-violent neighborhood disputes. - Reporting vandalism or lost property. - Crime prevention education. --- ### **7. Hoover Police Department** - **Phone (Non-Emergency)**: **205-822-5300** - **Website**: [hooveralabama.gov](https://www.hooveralabama.gov) - **Services**: - Police reports for non-emergencies. - Requesting police presence for community events. - Filing non-urgent complaints. --- ### **8. Additional Resources for Non-Emergencies** - **Alabama 2-1-1 Helpline**: - **Purpose**: Connects you to local government and community resources, including non-emergency police assistance. - **Phone**: **2-1-1** - **Website**: [211.org](https://www.211.org) - **Local County Sheriff's Offices**: For residents outside city jurisdictions, contact your county's sheriff's office for non-emergency law enforcement assistance. --- ### **When to Call Non-Emergency Numbers**: - Suspicious behavior that isn’t an immediate threat. - Noise disturbances. - Minor traffic incidents with no injuries. - Vandalism or property damage. - Lost or found items. --- If you’re unsure which department to contact, dialing **2-1-1** can direct you to the appropriate local services. For urgent assistance, always dial **9-1-1**. Let me know if you need help finding a specific city's police contact!