Through October 26, people within Spokane city limits should continue calling Crime Check at 509-456-2233 for non-emergency police and fire matters. Beginning October 27, callers can use 311 for reports such as suspicious activity, a crime that is no longer in progress or another incident that does not need an immediate emergency response.
Spokane 311 will assess and route incoming calls. The service will also continue handling general city information, service requests, pothole and unauthorized-camping reports, and utility-bill payments. An emergency call placed to 311 will be transferred to 911, but the city says people who need an immediate police, fire or medical response should call 911 directly.
The city describes this change as the first operational milestone in a two-year transition toward a city-operated public-safety answering point. A public-information campaign is underway, and Spokane says it will continue coordinating with regional emergency-service partners during the transition.