Reporting Emergencies

Background

Emergencies include crimes that are in progress or about to happen, and ones that have resulted in serious personal injury, property damage, or property loss. They also include incidents in which the suspect may still be at the scene and some suspicious activities. By calling 911 you will be linked to the appropriate police officer as well as fire fighting, medical, and ambulance services. You don’t need money to call 911 from a pay phone. Emergency calls are answered by skilled Emergency Dispatchers utilizing an Enhanced 911 computerized telephone system that displays the name, address and phone number of the caller. This is especially helpful to callers who are distressed or confused, as well as to the elderly and children. Cell phones may deliver incomplete information. Please see additional information regarding cell phone calls.

Examples of 911 Emergencies:

  • Burglaries and robberies
  • Child Abuse/Elder Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Fights, sexual assaults, etc.
  • Graffiti and other acts of vandalism in progress
  • Hit-and-run accidents with possible injuries
  • Homicides
  • Missing/abducted child
  • Ongoing dumping of fuel or other hazardous substances
  • Road hazards that require immediate attention to prevent personal injuries and property damage.
  • Runaway juvenile or missing person who needs special care - be sure to tell the call taker if the person needs medication and has a special problem, i.e., Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Sounds of gunshots, screaming, breaking glass, explosions, alarms, etc.
  • Vehicles containing weapons

Persons Who Are:

  • Carrying or wearing bloody clothing
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Entering a neighbor’s home when the neighbor is away
  • Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms that pose a threat to him/her or others.
  • Forcing an entry of a home, business, or vehicle
  • Removing property from a business, home, or vehicle, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
  • Struggling with a resisting child/possible kidnapping
  • Trying to or actually using a vehicle to pick up a person by force, especially a child or female.

911 Calls From Wireless Phones

If you call 911 on a cell phone, your location may not automatically display, as it does when calling from most home/business phones. Be prepared to tell the 911 call taker:

  • The location of the emergency - EVEN IN AN AREA THAT HAS LOCATION TECHNOLOGY
  • Address, street intersection, landmarks, city, county, mile marker, etc.
  • Your cell phone number
  • What the emergency is and what type of assistance is needed

It Is Important To:

  • Do not assume that TPD will receive your exact location via your cell phone. When making a 911 call from a wireless phone, you should stay on the line and advise the dispatcher where you are calling from.
  • Do not hang up until the 911 call taker has obtained all of the information that is needed.
  • Since you are calling from a cell phone, your call may be disconnected if the signal is lost. Be sure to call back if you are cut off. Stay calm and speak clearly!
  • When calling 911 on a cellular phone, be sure to stop if you are in a moving vehicle. It is difficult to obtain all of the information needed if you are getting further from the emergency.
  • Your call may need to be transferred to another agency.

Wireless Phone Frequently Asked Questions

Please view our frequently asked questions about calling from a wireless phone.

When Not to Call 911

  • For excessive noise complaints, legal advice, pets in trees. etc.
  • For minor medical problems
  • For road, travel or severe weather information

For non emergency problems please call the Police Department main line at 734-287-6611.

Have Your Address Visible

To help Taylor Police Officers get to your home quickly in an emergency, make sure the numerals of your address are in the best visible spot and are at least 4 inches in height. Wasting time looking for an address that might not be visible could waste precious moments in an emergency.

911 Abuse

It is a misdemeanor under Michigan law for any person to willfully use the 911 system for any purpose other than reporting an emergency. It is a felony if someone is injured or dies as a result of emergency service response to a false call.

False Reports

Under Michigan Law it is a misdemeanor to knowingly make a report of a misdemeanor to law enforcement that is not true. It is a felony to knowingly make a report of a felony to law enforcement that is not true. Persons falsely reporting crimes to Taylor Police Department will be subject to possible charges.

Prisoners and Bonds

Inquiries about prisoners held at the Taylor Police Department and how to bond a prisoner out of our jail can be directed to Jail Personnel at 734-374-2706. The Court sets the amount of a bond. Individuals charged with felonies, or certain types of misdemeanors, are not eligible for bond until they go to court and are arraigned. After a prisoner is arraigned, he or she will be transferred to the Wayne County Jail, located at 570 Clinton, Detroit, MI, 313-224-0795, unless bond is posted before being transported.

Bail can be posted at the 23rd District Court during business hours or the Taylor Police Department Jail 24 hours a day. Bail may be posted in:

  • Cash
  • Valid Surety Bond

The Taylor Police Jail is a short-term holding facility and as such does not permit visitors except in cases of a prisoner’s attorney or leader of their religious faith, i.e., priest, rabbi, etc.