There are often questions asked about when to call 911. The police department often hears comments from citizens not wanting to call 911 for non-emergency situations. At the present time, 911 is the proper number to call when requiring police services. 911 handles all of your police department’s dispatching needs. The service may be anything from a crime in progress to a larceny report, or a request to have a question answered.

Your call for service will be prioritized by 911. There is no need to worry about taking the officer’s away from something more pressing. A non-emergency call may not be dispatched to a police officer until more pressing matters are attended to. That is how the 911 system administers the varied number of calls for service throughout the county.

The police department does have a number that rings in our local office. That number is 872-1216. When calling 872-1216, you will reach police records, during normal business hours. You will not, usually, be able to reach a police officer by calling that number. Most of the time the officers are in a patrol car, answering complaint’s from citizens that called 911.

The same holds true if you stop into the police department to see an officer. Normally, during business hours, you will be directed to pick up a phone that connects you directly with 911, so they may initiate a request for police services and dispatch a police officer to see you. This may seem confusing, since you are talking to someone from our records department and may even see police officers in the building.

Officers are likely working on other cases. Efforts are made to allow them to complete a case before moving on to others, when possible. You are welcome to walk in to see an officer, but please understand that you will likely be asked to call 911, and if you see an officer, he or she may not be the one assigned your case. It is often easier to pick up the phone from your home or business and call 911. We still make house calls.

Do you have any questions you would like addressed in this column? If so please call 872-1216, extension 500 and leave a message.

WEBSTER POLICE RECORDS DEPARTMENT

The Webster Police Department Records Department handles all requests for accident reports and other records. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., except holidays.

Accident reports are the most requested and are usually available 24 hours after the incident. When an accident occurs on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the report may not become available until late Monday or Tuesday. Requests for accident reports can be made in person by the vehicle owner, driver, passengers or their representative. A representative may be an insurance company or someone who is given express written permission to do so. Reports may also be mailed when requested in writing. Requests can be sent to:

Insurance companies are charged $.25 a page.

Other reports that are requested can only be given to victims or witnesses. Many times these are requested for court proceedings and should be requested well in advance of the needed date. Reports requested that are older than 1997 or 1996 are archived and do require advance notice. Complicated requests may require supervisory approval and will also take more time. When there is doubt, please call records at 872-1216 during business hours.

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