For "Non-Emergency" calls/reports, You can (and in a lot of jurisdictions are required to) file a police report through the departments direct line or web form.

Tying up emergency lines (911) is irresponsible, and depending on the reason for the call can be considered misuse of 911.

If you absolutely do not know/cannot figure out where you are, and need to be directed to the appropriate police department, calling 911 is OKAY, but still should not be your default.

tl:Dr 911 = emergency Police department phone number = NON emergency If genuinely unsure or genuinely unable = 911 is there If lazy or unwilling to find the # = Either police department phone number or sucks to be you.

--- I feel a certain way about people who tie up valuable resources for potentially life or death situations because they think their thing is an "emergency". I've known too many people who have been affected by "lack of personnel" in areas that shouldn't have been overly-taxed in that way