Mastodawn

Here's a nice little walkthrough for when you should call the cops:

Severe Injury/medical emergency -> No, you should call an ambulance.

Car Crash -> Fire department and ambulance

Mental Health Crisis -> Community healthcare network. 211 in most communities, or find a local community group dedicated to that care

Fender Bender -> Get yourself to a collision centre. They don't give a shit.

Crimes -> You can try the non-emergency line, but they're not gonna show up or even call back. Enjoy being on hold for 3 hours.

Someone who's an active danger to the public -> That is the cop.

There's no reason to call the cops, or for them to exist in the first place.

@mayintoronto
In the US, the number to call for mental health crisis is 988.

@pockets @mayintoronto we actually have both, now:

@deborahh
No, we only have the one three-digit code of 988. We do have other resources, but they require dialing more numbers.

211 goes to the United Way, which is a helpline, but not for mental health. Food, housing, childcare, those sorts of things.

Mental health resources and hotlines for individuals and families to reach out to for support.

Mental Health