New Police and Fire Non-Emergency Number Now in Effect

By: Sharon Aron Baron

In 2002, residents of Broward County voted for a countywide emergency response system to address a fragmented system of emergency call processing and dispatching.

With the increasing use of cell phones, the regional 911 system will eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and result in better emergency response because calls will not have to be transferred to numerous dispatch centers.

This month marked the beginning of a new era in Broward County’s Consolidated Dispatch System. This means that all communities in Broward County except Plantation and Coral Springs have a new number to call for non-emergency police and fire situations.

The number is: 954-764-HELP (4357).

It’s important to know what number to call to make sure your situation is handled quickly and efficiently.

Call 911 when:

• You have a Police, Fire or Medical emergency
• There’s a danger to life or property
• There’s suspicious activity involving a person or vehicle

In other words, call 911 when you need immediate assistance to save a life, stop a crime or report a fire.

Call 954-764-HELP (4357) when:

    • You need non-emergency Police or Fire services
• You want to report a nuisance such as noise or a parking complaint
• You have questions about suspicious activities in your neighborhood

Noisy neighbor? Cat stuck up a tree? Dogs running loose in the neighborhood or barking incessantly? Someone parked on your lawn? Call the new non-emergency number.

Both 911 and 954-764-HELP (4357) are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Funding for the consolidation of 911 dispatch systems throughout Broward County was approved by the County Commission in 2013. Over the past year, cities have unified 911 operations with Broward County except for Plantation or Coral Springs.