Don’t call 911 to complain about noise - Seattle police

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http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2012/07/seattle-police-dont-call-911-to-complain-about-noise/

Please don’t call 911 to complain about fireworks noise today, say Seattle police.

Call 911 only for genuine emergencies, the department reminds us on its online blog.

With reports of fires and injuries, the Fourth of July is always a very busy time for police officer and firefighters, says Jonah Spangenthal-Lee in the posting.

While 911 call centers are taking those very important calls, they also get many, many non-emergency calls with complaints about fireworks-related noise.

These non-emergency calls make it more difficult for police and firefighters to respond to life-threatening emergencies, Spangenthal-Lee says.

“DO CALL 911: to report fires, injuries, crimes, or any other life-threatening incidents,” the post says. “DO NOT CALL 911: to complain about noise from fireworks, or the weather.”

The posts also reiterates that fireworks are illegal in Seattle, that those convicted of possession, manufacture, storage, sale or use of fireworks in the city face up to a year in jail and a fine of $5,000.

“If you do have concerns about fireworks in your neighborhood, but nothing has been damaged and no one has been injured, you can still call the Seattle Police non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011,” Spangenthal-Lee writes.