Mount Pleasant DC Forum

flydhest · Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 240

So I just called 311 to report a theft. They told me that the people that take theft reports were busy and that I have to call back in an hour. . . . errr, is that typical? The crime statistics that are posted from time to time can only come from reported crimes, I imagine. I don't see any reason to believe that they are accurate.

sturm · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 19

I called 311 to report a car break-in a few months back and was told their computers were down and to call the next day!

admin · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject:

Why don't you call the 3D substation to get someone to take the theft report. I think the number is 202-576-8222.

Laurie · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 739

The crime stats take into account the time the offense occurred, not the time it was reported.

flydhest · Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 240

I ending up calling the live link line, anyway, and an officer came out. The statistics can't be based on when the crime occured if, in fact, the crime was never reported because someone was put off by the dispatcher.

In any event the police officer noted that many people report that the 311 dispatcher is unhelpful and dismissive. Seems like that fact would exacerbate the problem of 911 being overwhelmed if someone felt they had to get a response.