ATL Standard

The City of Atlanta is taking proactive steps to address the issue of non-emergency calls overwhelming the 911 system with the launch of the “Make the Right Call” Campaign on March 11, 2024. Mayor Andre Dickens highlighted the importance of this campaign, stating, “High volumes of non-emergency calls burden our E911 system when they need to be attending to true emergencies.”

The campaign aims to educate residents on the distinction between emergency and non-emergency situations, with recent data showing that 60 percent of calls to 911 are non-emergencies, leading to a 14 percent increase in call volume from 2022 to 2023. Mayor Dickens emphasized the need for public cooperation in spreading awareness about the alternative options available for non-emergency situations through the 311 system.

Common non-emergency calls to 911 in Atlanta include landlord-tenant disputes, noise complaints, and lost property, among others. However, residents are urged to reserve 911 for genuine emergencies involving immediate threats to health, safety, or property. For urgent but non-emergency situations, such as noise disturbances or car break-ins without injuries, residents are encouraged to report them to ATL311.

In addition to calling ATL311, residents are reminded of the option to text 911 for reporting non-emergencies, particularly in situations where speaking may be unsafe or challenging. The City also provides a list of services that can be accessed through ATL311 or the ATL311 app chatbot, including reporting potholes, litter removal, and graffiti cleanup.

Furthermore, ATL311 has partnered with PAD (Police Alternatives and Diversion) to offer community response services, aiming to reduce the arrest and incarceration of individuals facing extreme poverty, substance abuse, or mental health issues. The operational hours for ATL311 are Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the mobile app available for recording cases at any time. Residents are encouraged to visit atl311.com/311 for a full list of services and more information, as well as following ATL311 on social media for updates.