Town of Munster Indiana

What do I tell the dispatcher?

 

Tell them exactly why you are calling.  Be concise and to the point.  The dispatch center can get very busy and they need to know how we can help you.  You will be asked questions regarding why you are calling to assist the dispatchers and the officers in their response.  You may be get put on hold, or interrupted so that the dispatcher can get information out to officers.  They may also put you on hold if you are calling on a non-emergency line and they receive a 911 line call.

 

What will I be asked?

 

The dispatcher will ask you for your name, address, telephone number, and date of birth. We require this information for follow-up calls if further information is required and for our information tracking system.   You may also be asked, depending on the type of call, why you need to speak with an officer or what makes the situation suspicious or criminal.

 

You will also be asked for a description of suspected persons or vehicles if applicable.  For people, their height, weight, age, and any clothing information will be helpful in assisting you.  For vehicle's, their color, make & model, style, year, and plate information will be helpful.  Likewise, any direction of travel and a time frame of events will also be helpful.

 

The dispatcher will also ask you if you want to speak with an officer.  The officer, depending on the type of call, may not contact you immediately.  He or she may be checking the area for suspects or suspect vehicles before speaking to you.  If requested, someone will contact you.

 

When should I call "911"?

 

Only dial "911" when a true emergency exists.  An emergency is when there is a potential of bodily injury or death and the police or emergency services are needed. Children may be directed to dial "911" if they are home alone or lost and feel scared or in fear for their safety.  Have them practice on a play phone as to what to say.  If you are unable to speak on the phone after dialing "911", the Munster Police Department has the Enhanced 911 system which displays the location and phone number from which you are calling.  Just leave the phone off of the hook and officers will be dispatched to that location.

 

What happens if I accidentally call "911"?

 

The dispatcher will try to call you first.  If he or she does not get a response, an officer will be sent.  If they do get a response on callback, they will ask you if everything is all right.  An officer may still be sent, but there are occasions where an officer will not be dispatched to a 911 hang-up call.

 

Can I call if I lock my keys in my car?

 

Yes, you can, but realize that this is a low priority call and an officer may not arrive immediately.  You should use the non-emergency line for this service unless there is an extenuating circumstance like a baby locked in the car.  You may have to find an alternative to getting your car open if all of our officers are busy and your situation is not an emergency.

 

Can I get a VIN Check at the police station on my newly purchased car?

 

Yes, you can, at a cost of $5.00.  Again, realize that this is a low priority call and an officer will assist you when available.

 

When should I not call the police department?

 

Do not call the police department for weather reports, phone outages, or power outages.  You should call NIPSCO for power outages and your phone or cable service provider for problems with your phone or cable service.  If there are downed power lines that are sparking or pose a risk to the public, call our dispatch center so that an officer and the fire department can protect the area until NIPSCO arrives.

 

Will I get called back if I leave a voice mail message?

 

If you call to speak to an officer and are connected to his or her voicemail, you should leave a message.  Officers are usually patrolling the town or the dispatcher may not know their exact location within the station.  Officer's are required to check their voicemails on a regular basis and will be notified that they have received a voicemail message if they are on duty.  If you do not get a call back after a couple of days, call back and ask to speak to the shift commander.  Do not ask for a specific officer to handle your situation unless it is an ongoing situation that the officer is familiar with.  Any officer can take a report that you may need to file.