City To Change 911 Call Policies
CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM) -- Plans are in the works for the City of Chicago to change the way 911 calls are handled.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Bernie Tafoya reports, the move is an apparent attempt to do more with less.
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The Chicago Police Department is a couple of thousands officers short of full strength. Thus, an official with the Office of Emergency Management and Communications says the city is urging people to call 311 to report less serious crimes, such as thefts of property under $500, or lost property.
Victims will also be urged to file their reports online. Already, several hundred people have reported non-emergency incidents online on the Chicago Police Department's Web site.
Callers could still ask for an officer to respond, but higher-priority calls will be answered first.
The change will free up officers for more important calls, officials say.
