Police modify 911 call responses

Peachtree City’s police department is modifying its responses to 911 emergency calls to try to reduce officers’ contact with the public unless necessary, as part of the coronavirus social distancing precautions.

Police Chief Janet Moon posted a video on the department’s Facebook page Sunday telling residents if they call 911, the dispatcher will ask questions to determine if the police report can be made over the phone instead of sending an officer to the site. Examples of possible phone-managed reports would be if there is no offender at the scene, if no physical evidence needs to be collected, or if the incident involves something remote like identity theft. Moon said if callers still want to speak with an officer face to face right away, “we will respond as normal.”

Moon noted the hotline for speaking with a medical professional about possible symptoms is 844442-2681.