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Defining A 911 Emergency

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A Florida man was arrested last month after he called 911 and asked the female dispatcher if she was single. He then began to hit on her while describing his "big muscles." Since he sounded drunk, she dispatched the police to find him and, when they did, he spat on them and threatened to kill the police officers which led to his arrest for battery and misuse of the 911 system. Smooth move my friend.

We all know that you're better off calling a party line than an emergency line if you want to get lucky. But it's not always so clear when to call 911.

Laws say that you are only to call 911 in an emergency situation, where the safety of people and property is at risk, like a fire, a crime in action, or a medical crisis. It's not an emergency if the situation isn't dangerous and immediate action is not necessary. You should not call 911 if there's a car accident but no injuries, if there had been a crime but the perpetrator has left, or to follow up on an auto theft report.

For those, check the directory for police non-emergency dispatch numbers.

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