On the heels of a significant increase in non-emergency 911 calls, the City of Atlanta is rolling out a new campaign aimed at streamlining the way residents reach out for municipal services. Dubbed "Make the Right Call," the initiative, which was launched yesterday, is pushing to redirect those non-urgent calls away from 911 operators and towards their 311 counterparts. With a hefty 60 percent of 911 calls deemed non-emergencies, Atlanta's E911 system has been swamped, leading to a critical need for call reassignment.
"To better serve our residents and visitors in creating one safe city, we need the public’s help to spread the word that there are multiple options to make the right call and receive support from the City in non-emergency situations," Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized, according to a statement made available by the City of Atlanta. Concerns about issues like barking dogs, noise complaints, and illegally parked calls should take a backseat to genuine emergencies imperiling health and safety.
For situations where time has lapsed and there's no immediate threat, ATL311 is now the suggested contact point. City officials are urging the public to save 911 calls for life-threatening occurrences such as active crimes and medical emergencies. The ATL311 service not only handles run-of-the-mill grievances about potholes and maintenance but has also teamed up with Police Alternatives and Diversion (PAD) to offer community response services aimed at reducing unnecessary arrests and jail time for those grappling with substance abuse, mental health issues, or extreme poverty.
If picking up the phone seems impractical, the City reminds residents they can text 911 for subtler issues not requiring a direct police response. This text line is particularly useful when making a voice call might be hazardous, like during a burglary, or if the caller's ability to speak is compromised. An ATL311 app chatbot is also available for a range of non-emergency services such as traffic signal repairs and litter removal.
The ATL311 service operates from Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but the mobile app ensures that issues can be reported round the clock. For those curious about the full gamut of services, more information is just a few clicks away at the official website. Additionally, ATL311's active social media presence means that the latest updates and service information are always within the public's reach.
More details on the "Make the Right Call" campaign and on how to navigate between emergency and non-emergency services can be found on the City of Atlanta's official website.
