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1. When should I call 9-1-1?

9-1-1 is the phone number that should be dialed whenever police, fire, or ambulance services are needed for an EMERGENCY. When you dial 9-1-1, your address and phone number (minus extension #) will show up on a monitor in the police dispatch center. The police dispatcher answers your call and will transfer your call to the Fire Department or Paramedics, if required.

2. What is considered an "emergency"?

An emergency is something that must be stopped, prevented, or remedied at the immediate time, because it threatens life, physical well-being, or property. If you're unsure if your situation is an emergency, call 9-1-1 anyway. If the dispatcher determines that your call is not considered an emergency call, you will be asked to phone back on a business line.
THIS KEEPS 9-1-1 FREE FOR OTHER EMERGENCIES.
(*NOTE: loud music complaints, parking complaints, barking dog complaints, etc., should NOT be called in on 9-1-1).

3. What is the non-emergency phone number

Please call (626) 812-3200 for non-emergency questions. In fact, program it into your cellular telephone's memory so you can get in touch with us quickly.

4. What Happens If I Accidentally Dial 911?

Please stay on the line! The dispatcher’s just need to make sure it was an accidental dial and that you do not need help. They will need to verify your name and address. If you do not stay on the line the dispatchers will need to attempt to call you back and if they still cannot reach you they will need to send the officers out to check your welfare. Accidental calls, especially from cell phone "pocket dials," tie up the dispatchers and 911 lines, adding to the burden of real emergency calls they receive. Do not allow children to play with your old phones (as they can still dial 911) and make sure you take preventative measures to make sure 911 cannot be accidentally dialed from your pocket or purse.

5. Are pay phones any different?

You may dial 9-1-1 for an emergency at any pay phone without needing any coins. The phone number and location of the pay phone will show up on the police dispatch monitor.

6. Should I program my telephone to dial 9-1-1?

NO!!! While it is not against the law, we strongly advise against doing this. Automatic dialing of 9-1-1 can result in accidental calls to the 9-1-1 dispatcher. Speed dialing can malfunction, and stop working, which would delay precious response time.

In addition, if you are training your children to press a one button speed call number in an emergency, they may not know how to call for help from another phone.

7. What about calling 9-1-1 from my cellular phone?

The California Highway Patrol is encouraging citizens with cellular phones to report drunk or reckless drivers, accidents, or other emergencies by dialing 9-1-1. You will be connected directly to CHP dispatch, and the call will be rerouted to the proper jurisdiction if necessary. The types of calls that CHP consider "emergencies" include: drunk or reckless driving, traffic accidents or other road hazards, medical emergencies, fires, crimes-in-progress, and stranded drivers in need of assistance.

8. What if I don't speak English?

9-1-1 allows emergency calls to be transferred to an interpreter who can interpret other languages. Interpretation is accessible from every telephone, including home and business phones, coin-operated, and phones equipped with TDDs (Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf).

9. If I Call 911 From A Cellular Phone, Will I Get Azusa PD?

In most cases, you will. However, if your cell phone's signal reaches a tower outside of our city, you may be connected with the California Highway Patrol. Just explain to the dispatcher you are in Azusa, and they will transfer you to the Azusa Police Department.

10. Will You Know My Location If I Call From A Cellular Phone?

Sort of....

If you do not provide us with an address or landmark, we will only know that you are calling from within 100' of a cell tower, whose address will appear on our screens.