Erin Hut, Communications Director, ehut@spokanecity.org
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 2:26 p.m.
People living, working, and playing in Spokane will soon have an easier way to reach the Spokane Police Department and Spokane Fire Department for non-emergency needs. On October 27, non-emergency calls within City of Spokane limits will transition from Crime Check to Spokane 311, creating a single point of contact for those seeking assistance.
Once the transition is complete, people who need to report a non-emergency police or fire matter – such as suspicious activity, a crime no longer in process, or other incidents that do not require an immediate emergency response – will simply call 3-1-1.
Spokane 311 will continue to connect callers to City services and general information. Residents will still utilize the 3-1-1 number to submit service requests, report issues like potholes and unauthorized camping, as well as pay utility bills. This change means residents will no longer need to remember separate phone numbers depending on the type of City service they need.
The transition from Crime Check to Spokane 311 is the first in a series of operational milestones to be completed over the next two years as the City of Spokane establishes its own Primary Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
“Transitioning City of Spokane non-emergency calls from Crime Check to Spokane 311 marks the first step in the implementation of our independent emergency communications system. With this step, we look forward to streamlining our reporting process, improving response, and making it easier for Spokane residents to remember who to call for help for non-emergency related needs,” Mayor Lisa Brown said.
"Over the past several months, we have been putting the foundational pieces in place as we stand up our own City-operated public safety answering point. We have invested in new technology, are hiring new call-takers, and are looking forward to achieving this first milestone in our transition,” said Stephen Williams, Director of Emergency Communications.
“We want to make accessing City-related services as easy as possible. By bringing non-emergency calls into the Spokane 311 system, we are making City government easier to navigate and providing a better customer experience,” said Heather Sweet, Spokane 311 Director of Customer Experience.
When someone dials Spokane 311, their call will be assessed and routed to the appropriate department or emergency personnel. Emergencies requiring an immediate police, fire, or medical response should always be reported to 911. Emergency calls that come in through 311 will be transferred to 911.
Residents should continue calling Crime Check (509-456-2233) through October 26. 311 will begin accepting non-emergency calls on October 27. Throughout the entirety of the transition, the City will continue working with SREC and regional public safety partners to ensure residents and visitors maintain reliable access to 911 and emergency services.
A public education campaign is now underway to help inform the community ahead of the transition.
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