What is 311 and When Should I Use it?

If your city has a 311 service, you can call to report issues like abandoned vehicles, noise complaints, and graffiti. By adding a second channel for citizens to report problems, 911 operators are freer to address emergencies.

While it isn’t available nationally, many metro areas have a 311 system in place. Cities like San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles have mobile apps to make reporting issues easier.

Basically, 311 is a type of citizens’ hotline. It’s a simple way for you to report problems or ask questions about your community without tying up emergency lines or going through frustrating municipal channels.

When you call 311 or your local municipal number (some cities have both), you’ll connect with a trained representative who can help you out. They can forward complaints to local government, local utilities, and other public services to get the problem fixed or answer your question.

When you call 311, a customer service representative will answer your service request. Just like 911, these representatives have been trained to help send your request or complaint through the right non-emergency channels.

Let’s say a traffic light in your neighborhood is malfunctioning (yikes). You can call 311 to notify your city and have it repaired.

Depending on your service request, they’ll answer your question or send municipal services to the location to fix the problem.

311 was designed to take all those calls to 911 that aren’t true emergencies. But even non-emergencies can escalate into serious situations.

Here’s a list of a few of the most common reasons to call 311:

• Sidewalk and road repairs 
• Noise complaints 
• Abandoned vehicles 
• Large debris blocking roadways
• Garbage bin replacements
• Dangerous animal complaints
• Damaged traffic signals or road signs 
• Graffiti removal
• Leaking hydrant or sewer problems

911 lines are flooded with calls every day. Using your local 311 line will free up 911 operators to help people in life-or-death situations. Before you call the police, consider whether or not your concern is an emergency.

If you have an emergency like a serious injury or fire in your home, call 911. But in other situations, your local services can be just as effective.

The 311 system varies from city to city, but the most reliable way to contact this service is through your phone or online.

You can dial 311 to report an issue or, if your city has one, use the 311 app.

Mobile app names also vary by city. For example, in Los Angeles, the app is called MyLA311 while in New York City, it goes by NYC311. Check to see if your city has a 311 service or app to get started.

There are almost 100 cities and towns across the country that have a 311 response program. These are some of the major cities that have a 311 service:

Services vary from city to city, but using 311 can help make your city a safer, more enjoyable place to live.

If you don’t see your area on this list, you may still be able to reach your city services for help. You can usually find municipal services and phone numbers on your city’s home page.

City services can vary from place to place. If you don't have 311 services in your area, there are still ways to address issues in your neighborhood. Many municipal services can include traffic and infrastructure requests, social service requests, and more. 

If your problem is more neighborhood-focused, try some of these apps to connect with others in your community. 

Ring's Neighbors app connects Ring users within a hyper-local radius. Common alerts include suspicious activity, lost and found pets, and traffic updates, just to name a few. If you want to stay updated on the goings-on in your area, it's an easy resource for asking folks in your neighborhood questions and getting some basic answers. The best part is you don't need a Ring subscription or camera to use it!

With community conversation boards, restaurant recommendations, and even classified listings, NextDoor is an excellent resource for staying informed about your area. Whether you need to find a reliable roofing service or want some intel on the latest road closure, NextDoor can help you plug into your neighborhood. 

You can also check out these other personal safety apps. 

• If I Have an Emergency, Who Should I Call First?
• What to Do before Calling the Police
• 7 Simple Ways to Make Your Neighborhood Safer
• What to Do When a Burglary Occurs in Your Neighborhood
• Neighborhood Watch with the National Crime Prevention Council