Hi, Barbara -- I know this isn't exactly what you're looking for, but...
Below is a recent e-mailing from Don Greeley of CCP/SAFE regarding fireworks/911 calls; A copy of their official fireworks flyer can also be found at... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/central-chat/files/CCP-SAFE/Fireworks.pdf -- John Goodman Central Neighborhood > ---------------------------- > 3Dsafe Automated Mailing > ---------------------------- > > What follows is a message distributed by CPS Tim Hammett on TCSafetynet. I > have modified the original only slightly. It's a little long, but it might > be helpful if you have any questions about when to use 911, especially when > fireworks are involved. > > ' In Minneapolis, our message has consistently been that if you need a squad > to > respond to your location, no matter the reason, you should call 911. 911 is > not only for emergencies, but should be used whenever you want a squad > dispatched. (612) 348-2345 and 911 are answered by the same operators at the > Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center (MECC), and all calls for > service are forwarded by those operators to the dispatchers for prioritizing > and dispatch. While it is perfectly acceptable to call the 2345 number for > non-emergency police response, it is not necessary. Even though the 2345 > number is relatively easy to remember, I doubt that most people can recite > it offhand as the other number to MECC. 911 works just as well, and for > most people it is easier to remember, particularly when under stress. > > The last thing we want to do is to discourage people from calling 911 if > they think they may need a police response. Let the police dispatcher > determine the urgency of the call based on the information you provide to > the 911 operator and prioritize the call accordingly. > > Regarding calls to 911 for help when locked out of your > vehicle: Neither 911 nor 2345 are appropriate numbers to call for this > because as a matter of policy, MPD has stopped offering lockout assistance > to motorists. This was an MPD policy decision and has nothing to do with > preferred MECC procedures. > > (The only exception to this that I can think of > is a situation in which someone's life or health is threatened. For example > if an infant or incapacitated adult is locked in a hot car on a hot day and > is in danger of heat stroke or death, and you are incapable of breaking into > the car yourself, a call to 911 would be the right thing to do. Of course > opening the car by any means as quickly as possible, including smashing the > window, would be preferred.) > > With regard to fireworks in Minneapolis, please do call 911 to report the > illegal use of fireworks. While fireworks are a low priority, that does not > mean that citizens should simply > suffer in silence through the "fireworks season". Again, it is up to the > dispatchers to prioritize the calls for service that come into MECC. > Response times will vary according to the current call load and the amount > of information (specific address of offense, descriptions of violators, > etc.) provided. > Please refer to the flyer sent out on 3DSafe recently. > > Illegal fireworks are a very serious problem in some parts of the city. > Even though it is considered a low priority crime it still deserves the > enforcement attention that any and all crimes deserve. MOST IMPORTANT OF > ALL: If you see someone shooting or throwing fireworks at other people call > 911 immediately and report it. Be sure to tell the operator that the > offender is shooting or throwing the fireworks at another person. This will > be treated as a higher priority call because the behavior poses a serious > threat to the health and safety of another. Similarly, if you see people > shooting or throwing fireworks at cars or buildings or in a manner likely to > start a fire, be sure that the 911 operator knows that as well. Nuisance > activity is one thing. Actions which threaten the life, health, or safety > of others is another, far more serious matter. > Thanks!! " > > > Don Greeley > Crime Prevention Specialist > 3rd Precinct CCP/SAFE > Minneapolis Police Dept. > 217 So 3rd St. > Mpls. MN. 55401-2139 > (612) 673-3482 - (612) 673-3563 (fax) > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To report graffiti, possible housing code violations, etc > http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/inspections > > If you would like to receive weekly crime stats > for the Central Neighborhood address an email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
