Health & Fitness
Who Should You Call During An Emergency? Find Out Here!
Portsmouth Police Chief Hebert provides the answers to questions about who do you contact if you see something wrong.
My thanks to Lance Hebert for providing the answers to my earlier query about who you should call when something is wrong but doesn’t seem to be critical enough for a 911 call.
I repeat his responses below, keyed to my questions. So, who do you call and what information should you provide if:
1. You observe a school bus or RIPTA driver talking on a cell phone while driving with passengers?
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Answer: In the case of a school bus driver or RIPTA bus driver seen talking on a cell phone, a person may call the police department non-emergency line (683-0300) or call directly to the First Student Bus Co. (683-5130) or to the RIPTA Office and report the bus number, time seen, location and route of travel so they may accurately know what bus driver was seen.
2. You observe someone throwing trash or other refuse out of their car on a public roadway?
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Answer: Anytime, anyone is seen littering, please call the police and try and provide the registration number to the vehicle and location. In case of it not being a vehicle, please provide the best overall information so police can respond or investigate.
3. You observe a tree limb lying on top of electrical wires?
Answer: Anytime low hanging wires are seen or branches are entangled with electrical wires, call the police. They have direct lines to the electrical company for reporting such incidents.
4. You encounter a really large pothole in the road?
Answer: All pot holes, which are causing a traffic hazard, should be called into the police department since they have direct lines for reporting to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.
5. You see an animal in distress? (hit by a car or stuck in a ditch, etc.)
Answer: Anytime a domesticated or wild animal is struck by an automobile, the witnesses or the person involved must call the police to respond, investigate and provide service to the animal or vehicle operator. This type of call should be called into the 911 or the local emergency line of the police department (683-2422).
