For Issues Big or Small, Don’t Hesitate to Call 911
A small detail you provide could make a big difference.
We are all taught from a young age to call 911 when in danger or when we witness a possible crime taking place. But what about the less obvious situations, like a next-door neighbor having a loud party, the continuously idling semitruck across the street, or the constantly barking dogs two doors down? These are all potential violations of Inver Grove Heights City Code and potentially worthy of a call to 911.
City Hall staff often get calls from residents who say they didn’t want to bother the police or figure the police have bigger things to worry about. But waiting for regular business hours to report a situation that happens in the evening or over the weekend often hampers the City’s ability to identify specific perpetrators or collect the necessary proof of an incident.
It's ok to Call 911 for Non-emergency Situations
The Inver Grove Heights Police Department cares about quality-of-life issues in our community. IGH officers will certainly prioritize calls involving life safety or serious crimes first, but residents are also encouraged to call 911 for things that negatively impact their ability to enjoy their neighborhood.
For some situations, like the sound of a nail gun being used to install a new roof at 6 a.m. or if a vehicle is parked illegally, residents are encouraged to call 911 to report these incidents as they are happening. This is particularly true if something is an ongoing nuisance, rather than a one-time occurrence. IGH police officers enjoy being able to help residents with a wide range of situations and will do their best to get to every call for service—large or small.
Here are some instances in which calling 911 is ok:
- Loud, late-night parties
- Early morning construction noise
- Stray animals
- Illegally parked cars
- Loudly idling trucks
Some situations, like long grass and weeds at the house on the corner or a tree branch down in a City park, should be reported through the City’s online request tracker. These situations are likely to remain unchanged in the time it takes for a City staff person to receive the report and respond.