Kent residents are urged to call 253-852-2121 to report non-emergency police incidents, ensuring that 911 will be readily available for actual emergencies.

That’s the message put out this week by Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas.

Examples of calls that are appropriate for a non-emergency operator include:

• A residential, business or vehicle break-in that occurred on an earlier day

• The return of a runaway child

• Identification of additional lost or stolen property after an initial report has been made

• Lost property

• A hit and run traffic collision when no longer at the scene of the accident

“Over time, the message for residents has been to call 911 any time a response is needed, even if it wasn’t an actual emergency,” Thomas said in a media release. “While good intentioned, that approach actually stopped people from calling 911 when they didn’t believe their situation was an actual emergency. By promoting use of the non-emergency number, we’re hoping residents will feel more comfortable calling for assistance.”

Both 911 and the 253-852-2121 numbers will ring into the Valley Communications Center. If an emergency is detected from a non-emergency call, it will be routed to the correct operator for immediate response.

Located in Kent, and known as Valley Com, the center answers emergency 911 calls and dispatches police officers, firefighters and paramedics to people in eight cities.

“With multiple jurisdictions using Valley Com, we anticipate by sharing consistent information, we’ll minimize confusion about what constitutes a non-emergency call,” Thomas said.

Examples of when to call 911 include:

• Serious medical emergencies

• Any crime in progress

• Any type of fire

• Any dangerous or life-threatening situation

• Any suspicious activity

• Any time someone fears for their safety or the safety of others

• Anyone unsure if their situation is an emergency is encouraged to call 911.