911 Communications Center

When you call 911 within the City of Seattle, call-takers at the Downtown-based 911 Communications Center answer — in under 15 seconds, on average. They work with precinct-focused dispatchers to send the best responders to emergencies across the city, including Seattle police officers and the CARE Department's own Community Crisis Responders. Dispatchers also direct fire and medical calls to Seattle Fire Department's Fire Alarm Center.

The 911 Communications Center is also responsible for answering the City's non-emergency line (206-625-5011) and texts to 911.

The 911 Communications Center is staffed twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. Its call-takers can translate nearly 300 languages and communicate with callers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Always call 911 for:

• A police, fire, medical, or mental health emergency
• A serious situation which poses a danger to life, property, or both
• A serious crime such as robbery, domestic violence, or sexual assault 
• A downed power line

You can also call 911 to report a person who appears to be unconscious or not breathing, to request a welfare check, or to request resources, referrals, food, or transportation for someone in need. Bottom line: if a concerning situation is in progress, call 911. Our highly-trained call takers will direct you to the non-emergency line if that is more appropriate.

The non-emergency line

Seattle's non-emergency line ((206) 625-5011) is best to call in non-life threatening and non-urgent situations.

Options you can press when you call the non-emergency line ((206) 625-5011) include:

• 0: To request a non-law enforcement behavioral health response
• 1: For a copy of a police report, or to inquire about a gun permit, clearance report, or fingerprinting
• 2: To inquire if your vehicle was impounded, or if you're calling about your recovered stolen vehicle
• 3: To report an abandoned vehicle
• 4: To report graffiti, dumping on public property, and water- or garbage-related issues
• 5: To inquire if someone is booked into King County Jail
• 6: To report a collision
• 7: To report issues with potholes, sidewalks, traffic signals, or street signs
• 8: For non-emergency police dispatch

While the 911 Communications Center has call takers who are dedicated to answering the non-emergency line, they also answer 911 calls, which are prioritized. This means wait times for the non-emergency line depend on 911 call volume. The average wait time for the non-emergency line was four minutes in 2025, down from eight minutes in 2024, but non-emergency wait times can last much longer when 911 call volume is heavy.

If you have questions or would like to request an observation, email CARE_Info@seattle.gov.