# Dropping a Dime, on your neighbor? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 19, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684 "2010-08-19T00:25:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![The\_Why\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@The\_Why\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Why_Bird)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/81 "2010-08-19T21:19:29Z")
In all fairness to **Nada** the Auburn police website does in fact say that you can call 911 for non-emergency reasons. You can read it [here](http://www.auburnwa.gov/emergency/police/Calling_911.asp). This is a pretty unusual set up but the OP is technically right about being allowed to do this. Sorry for being so harsh. Still not a good idea to do if you travel outside your city though, because I’m fairly confident this won’t fly everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/82 "2010-08-19T21:22:50Z")
Someone failing to signal doesn’t even fall on my radar of “non-emergency reasons” to contact the authorities. It ranks with jay-walking on an empty, suburban street and loitering. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/83 "2010-08-19T21:24:47Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > Oregon Sunshine I asked for the thoughts of other posters ,and have read the thoughts posted, I accept that most of the posters don’t agree with the way that I feel. Most? I would say pretty much all. Why did you start this thread if you didn’t want to really know the opinion of what you’re doing is sensible or not? What you are doing is at best, a waste of time, and at worst, a needless hogging of resources better served for _emergencies_. This isn’t just some posters saying this. There appears to be a consensus in this thread, among a wide swath of posters, _including some who work in emergency services._ So, I personally would take this as a sign to perhaps reflect and rethink my philosophy on this issue. I honestly don’t see what you think calling 911 and reporting illegal lane changes and cell phone usage is going to accomplish, other than wasting everyone’s time and perhaps tying up the line for, you know, _actual_ emergencies. Frankly, I am shocked and can hardly believe that you have been told to call 911 and say “it’s not an emergency.” That’s a no-no around here, and we have a number, 311, for that sort of stuff. However, it appears that [in Auburn, Washington](http://www.auburnwa.gov/emergency/police/Calling_911.asp) things are handled a little differently. ETA: Beaten to the last point by **The Why Bird**. I’m wondering what kind of Mayberry, USA, locale this Auburn is that they allow non-emergency numbers to 911 and citizens feel compelled to report each other for the minorest traffic infractions. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/84 "2010-08-19T21:31:35Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > Oregon Sunshine I asked for the thoughts of other posters ,and have read the thoughts posted, I accept that most of the posters don’t agree with the way that I feel. A car is nothing more than a 2000 +/- guided missile, and when someone who is multi tasking and following so close behind me that I can see them talking on a cellular phone, at freeway speeds no less, than I feel that driver is putting my life at risk, When a driver makes an improper lane change again at freeway speeds, without proper signal or the proper amount of space again I feel that driver is putting my life in danger. > I have stated several times, that I have asked who to call in these situations and been told by the police dept. to call 911 and tell the operator “its not an emergency.” > I am supposeing that an ounce of prevention , is worth a pound of cure doesn’t mean a whole lot in these times, at least judging by the way so many people drive i.e. Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead; whoever gets there first gets all the cookies and milk. Doesn’t any of the posters who think I am a fuddy duddy, to be kind , think that if I prevent one serious accident by placing these calls that its a good thing? Its not like I am driving down the road looking for trouble, I didn’t mean to give the impression that I call 911 everytime someone curses at me or flips me the bird for not exceeding the speed limit so they inturn can go faster. I don’t do that, what I do is try to move right so that driver can be on their merry way, What I do is when the driver jacks thei vehicle in another lane and then cuts back in front of me in a dangerous fashion is try to get the lic. number, and discriptoin of the vehicle, and report it to the proper authorities, in the hopes that somewhere down the line that driver can be given a time out. Perhaps to cool down a litte or contemplate the ramifacations of what they have done. Maybe ,just maybe this will prevent a more serious incident or accident. You won’t prevent any accidents. Not a single one. None of your calls will result in action being taken. None of them. The only thing you’re preventing is a speedy response to actual emergencies. Sleep well tonight. ---
**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/85 "2010-08-19T21:32:58Z")
I have just gotten off the landline with both my local police dept., and the emergency disp., system(911) 1427 hrs. 08/19/2010 and both the policeand the on duty suoervisor stated that this is the proper number to call to report erratic driving unsafe driving and/ or debris in the road. The emergency dispatch super ,also said that is the number to call if I am traveling on surface streets and see suspecious activity or unsafe driver. There is asystem to seperate actual emegency calls from non-emegency calls, and the emergency dispatchers are trained how to handle them. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/86 "2010-08-19T21:42:08Z")
Just because you CAN doesn’t always mean you SHOULD. And I still want to know what you’re going to do about your own distracted driving. And your apparently extremely high anxiety level. Both are dangerous to yourself and others. Turn that finger that you’re pointing at others around and point it at yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/87 "2010-08-19T21:46:17Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > I have just gotten off the landline with both my local police dept., and the emergency disp., system(911) 1427 hrs. 08/19/2010 and both the policeand the on duty suoervisor stated that this is the proper number to call to report erratic driving unsafe driving and/ or debris in the road. The emergency dispatch super ,also said that is the number to call if I am traveling on surface streets and see suspecious activity or unsafe driver. There is asystem to seperate actual emegency calls from non-emegency calls, and the emergency dispatchers are trained how to handle them. Did they tell you what action they take in response to such calls? Did they clarify whether failure to use a turn signal qualifies as sufficiently “erratic” or “unsafe” driving to warrant a call? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/88 "2010-08-19T21:48:49Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > . . . posters ,and . . . prevention , is . . . kind , think . . . Maybe ,just . . . Perhaps your erratic and unpredictable violation of comma usage should be reported to the grammar police. Now what’s their number? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/89 "2010-08-19T21:49:08Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > I have just gotten off the landline with both my local police dept., and the emergency disp., system(911) 1427 hrs. 08/19/2010 and both the policeand the on duty suoervisor stated that this is the proper number to call to report erratic driving unsafe driving and/ or debris in the road. The emergency dispatch super ,also said that is the number to call if I am traveling on surface streets and see suspecious activity or unsafe driver. There is asystem to seperate actual emegency calls from non-emegency calls, and the emergency dispatchers are trained how to handle them. OK, I’ll ask again: what do you _hope_ to accomplish with your 911 calls? What do you think _is_ actually accomplished with your 911 calls? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/90 "2010-08-19T21:54:27Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > > [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > > > Suppose you looked out your front window in your neighbood and saw a deranged person walking down the sidewalk waving a pistol, What would you do? > > I would call 911 and get put on hold, because you’re hogging the line. For the win! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/91 "2010-08-19T21:56:06Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > [ > Perhaps your erratic and unpredictable violation of comma usage should be reported to the grammar police. Now what’s their number? The number is post #45. I’m taking your win away. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/92 "2010-08-19T22:07:45Z")
OK, I’ll give in on a couple of things. In Auburn WA 911 is the appropriate number to call even though it isn’t in 99% of the rest of the country, and no matter what we say you will still be convinced you are doing your civil duty by reporting these. We will also never be able to convince you that making these calls will not ever save an accident from happening. So, instead I’ll try to give you some other options that I would consider (in order of my preference). I’ll pick the person you feel is following too closely. 1. Signal my intent to move to the right, check my mirrors and look over my shoulder and when safe move over to let the offender pass. 2. Speed up to join the flow of traffic. 3. Gradually slow down so the offender eventually passes. 4. Slam on the brakes and enjoy the insurance settlement (and wheel chairs are cool). 5. Ignore him (sorry, this should be number 4 but I’m too lazy to edit) 6. Call 911 to report him (sorry, I skipped a few) ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/93 "2010-08-19T22:33:46Z")
I don’t live in Auburn, but not too far away in Washington. I have been told by my own city officials to call 911 if a bulldozer in my neighborhood is operating outside legal hours. I also have called the non-emergency police number at night and discovered that they forward that line to 911 after hours. I don’t know what the deal is with this state and 911, but it’s weird. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/94 "2010-08-19T22:39:39Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > Oregon Sunshine I asked for the thoughts of other posters ,and have read the thoughts posted, I accept that most of the posters don’t agree with the way that I feel. A car is nothing more than a 2000 +/- guided missile, and when someone who is multi tasking and following so close behind me that I can see them talking on a cellular phone, at freeway speeds no less, than I feel that driver is putting my life at risk, When a driver makes an improper lane change again at freeway speeds, without proper signal or the proper amount of space again I feel that driver is putting my life in danger. > I have stated several times, that I have asked who to call in these situations and been told by the police dept. to call 911 and tell the operator “its not an emergency.” > I am supposeing that an ounce of prevention , is worth a pound of cure doesn’t mean a whole lot in these times, at least judging by the way so many people drive i.e. Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead; whoever gets there first gets all the cookies and milk. Doesn’t any of the posters who think I am a fuddy duddy, to be kind , think that if I prevent one serious accident by placing these calls that its a good thing? Its not like I am driving down the road looking for trouble, I didn’t mean to give the impression that I call 911 everytime someone curses at me or flips me the bird for not exceeding the speed limit so they inturn can go faster. I don’t do that, what I do is try to move right so that driver can be on their merry way, What I do is when the driver jacks thei vehicle in another lane and then cuts back in front of me in a dangerous fashion is try to get the lic. number, and discriptoin of the vehicle, and report it to the proper authorities,\*\* in the hopes that somewhere down the line that driver can be given a time out. Perhaps to cool down a litte or contemplate the ramifacations of what they have done\*\*. Maybe ,just maybe this will prevent a more serious incident or accident. (bolding mine) Would you like them to sit in a corner, like Dennis the Menace in his chair? :rolleyes: You’re getting a pile-on because your posts sound incredibly patronizing. The bad grammar, spelling, and general typos don’t help your case, but that’s b/c we’re a rather pedantic bunch around here. But really, it’s the patronizing tone, 100%. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/95 "2010-08-19T22:46:53Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > You’re getting a pile-on because your posts sound incredibly patronizing. The bad grammar, spelling, and general typos don’t help your case, but that’s b/c we’re a rather pedantic bunch around here. But really, it’s the patronizing tone, 100%. I’m in agreement. I’d like to also add that even if your posts themselves didn’t have a patronizing tone, the mere act of calling 911 and reporting someone who doesn’t use their blinker to the police is in itself pretty patronizing, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/96 "2010-08-19T23:28:11Z")
OK, If you are on MY ROAD, and I see you driving in an unsafe, erratic ,manner and I can safely inform the police or state troopers by calling 911 I WILL DO SO.In the event you want to do the same to me ,please go ahead and call. Call 911,the Grammer Police call and registar a complaint, if you think I am behaving in an unsafe manner do your Civic Duty, show your fellow citizens that you do care about someone besides yourself, that you do want to be a part of a society, otherwise take off your shoes and go run thru the woods. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/97 "2010-08-19T23:30:20Z")
What do you do for a living? Have you ever thought of aspiring to be a security guard? That seems like it would be right up your alley, and would allow you to feed your inner hall monitor. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/98 "2010-08-19T23:35:27Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > OK, If you are on MY ROAD, and I see you driving in an unsafe, erratic ,manner and I can safely inform the police or state troopers by calling 911 I WILL DO SO.In the event you want to do the same to me ,please go ahead and call. Call 911,the Grammer Police call and registar a complaint, if you think I am behaving in an unsafe manner do your Civic Duty, show your fellow citizens that you do care about someone besides yourself, that you do want to be a part of a society, otherwise take off your shoes and go run thru the woods. So if you looked out your window and just happened to spot a car going down the street passed your house and you just so happened to glimpse the driver talking on his cell phone you’d call the police? If you knew your neighbor was smoking pot in his backyard would you call the police? Would you call the police on a jaywalker? Let’s say you somehow discover that the guy across the street illegally downloads music? Are you going to call the police on him? I’m going to once again remind you that not a single of your calls accomplished anything. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/99 "2010-08-19T23:45:20Z")
The Auburn 911 system is run by King County, WA, and the [King County web page on 911](http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/E911/911CallingBasics.aspx#whencall) directly contradicts the Auburn city page. > [@](#): > > When should I call 9-1-1? > > 9-1-1 should only be called if you need an emergency response from police, fire or emergency medical personnel. For non-emergencies call your local police or fire department or other appropriate agency. > > Examples of when to call 9-1-1 include: > > A serious medical emergency (chest pains, seizures, bleeding, etc.) > Any type of fire (structure, vehicle, brush, etc.) > Any crime in-progress (robbery, burglary, prowler, fights, etc.) > Any other life threatening situations (traffic accident with injuries, etc.) I have sent an email to King County Emergency Services pointing out this contradiction, and asking that they reconcile the information given to citizens. Probably this will result in nothing, as do the OP’s 911 calls, but if one of the two instructions change, my bet would be that Auburn will be the one to change. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/100 "2010-08-20T00:00:04Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > OK, If you are on MY ROAD, and I see you driving in an unsafe, erratic ,manner and I can safely inform the police or state troopers by calling 911 I WILL DO SO.In the event you want to do the same to me ,please go ahead and call. Call 911,the Grammer Police call and registar a complaint, if you think I am behaving in an unsafe manner do your Civic Duty, show your fellow citizens that you do care about someone besides yourself, that you do want to be a part of a society, otherwise take off your shoes and go run thru the woods. Take three: what do you hope to accomplish with your 911 calls? What do you think is actually accomplished with your 911 calls? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684.md?page=6)