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
That’s the whole problem. They respond to every 911 call, usually first on scene. They’re looking for crimes. Nothing else.
@RiaResists It's not as bad here. 911 is funded through the police budget, but the people in the dispatch offices are usually from the paramedics side. (Knew someone who did that for decades.)
@mayintoronto
That’s awesome!
We have so much work to do to un-do the stupid here
@RiaResists @mayintoronto We have 333-8911 for "dispatch." thEY're good at figuring out who to send. (That said, if you are too calm about a manhole w/o cover, you have to call again)
@geonz @mayintoronto
America seems to like police brutality.
That’s what happens here. Mental health emergencies where the cops show up & shoot the person in crisis.
Way too many police shootings because of this system.
Another thing for my list….