Why do you need to call 311?

I heard on the news today that they suggested that you call 911 "which I know about" but I never heard of 311 before...

Re: Why do you need to call 311?

They want you to dial 311 when it's an emergency that isn't life threatening or if you want to report something (not like a murder or crime in progress or anything).

I believe they created this number due to the high call volume of non-emergency calls they were getting on the 911 line and the people that really needed assistance weren't getting as quickly as they could.

Re: Why do you need to call 311?

Heat complaints, noise complaints.

We've called for noise complaints. But I'm not sure the complaints go anywhere.

Re: Why do you need to call 311?

when the dumb *** neighbor 2 houses down puts a garbage pail in front of her house to save a spot

woops...

Re: Why do you need to call 311?

I call 311 to find out if alternate side parking is suspended.

Re: Why do you need to call 311?

311 is to obtain general information, such as parking rules information or phone numbers for other city agencies, to report a traffic light out etc and it is also for any non-emergency complaints that you want directed to PD: someone's car is blocking your driveway, your neighbors are blasting their music etc. the nyc police precincts have a computer connected to the 311 system and the complaints get directed to the precincts to dispatch and handle. people tend to forget 911 is for EMERGENCIES. ah, the stories i could tell you