Non-Emergency Reports and Information

WHAT IS 877-ASK-LAPD?

(ASK-LAPD only operates  in the city of Los Angeles)
877 ASK-LAPD is a new universal toll-free non-emergency police number. It was  designed to help reduce the number of non-emergency calls to 9-1-1 operators. 877 ASK-LAPD  is also available in Spanish and TTY for the hearing-impaired.

WHEN SHOULD I USE 877-ASK-LAPD (877 275-5273)?

Callers who do not have an emergency or who may only need information should call  877-ASK-LAPD.

WHY SHOULD I DIAL 877-ASK-LAPD INSTEAD OF 9-1-1?

It is important to keep the 9-1-1 lines and operators available for emergency situations like a person reporting a fire, someone experiencing a heart attack, or someone  witnessing a violent crime in progress.

When someone calls 9-1-1 with a non-emergency call such as a loud party, it ties up  both the incoming 9-1-1 line and the 9-1-1 operator.

Los Angeles is a large city with limited resources. It is important that we keep all  emergency lines and operators available to handle the next incoming emergency. Remember to  dial  877-ASK-LAPD when you need the police, but don’t have an emergency.

WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY VERSUS A NON-EMERGENCY?

Here are just a few examples of emergencies versus non-emergencies:

EMERGENCY
▪     Anyone requiring medical attention
▪     Fires
▪     Crimes in progress
▪     Domestic violence in progress

NON-EMERGENCY
▪     Disturbances including a loud radio or party
▪     Drinking in public
▪     Property or business disputes involving a landlord, property or business
▪     Trespassing / loitering

HOW DOES 877-ASK-LAPD WORK?

It’s simple. Just dial 1-877-275-5273. It’s toll free so there is no  charge to the caller. You will receive a non-emergency operator who will provide assistance to you. If all of the non-emergency operators are busy with other callers, you  will receive the ASK-LAPD Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. The IVR allows you to  by-pass a non-emergency operator and locate the best source of information or assistance  for your needs through a series of questions and caller selections. While you are in the  IVR system, you may at any time choose to speak to a live operator by pressing  “0” (zero).

WHAT TYPE OF INFORMATION CAN I OBTAIN FROM USING 877-ASK-LAPD?

▪     Telephone numbers to all police stations and some specialized units.
▪     Arrestee, court and restraining order information.
▪     Listings of crime reports that can be taken over the phone.
▪     Directions on how to report stolen, abandoned and illegally parked vehicles.
▪     Information on parking citations and boot devices.
▪     Listings for non-LAPD service providers such as the Department of Animal Regulations and  Department of Water and Power.

All of these services and more are available without waiting to speak to a  live operator when you call 877 -ASK-LAPD.