Examples of 9-1-1 Emergencies
Some examples of crime emergencies that should be reported by calling 9-1-1 are:
•Fights, sexual assaults, etc.
•Homicides
•Burglaries and robberies
•Flashlight beam in a business or home, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
•Domestic violence
•Child and elder abuse
•Sounds of gunshots, screaming, breaking glass, explosions, alarms, etc.
•Hit and run accidents with possible injuries
•Vehicles containing weapons or property not normally kept in vehicles
•Ongoing dumping of fuel or other hazardous substances
•Road hazards that require immediate attention to prevent personal injuries and property damage
•Graffiti and other acts of vandalism in progress
•Runaway juvenile or missing person who needs special care -- be sure to tell the operator if the person needs medication and has a special problem, e.g., Alzheimer's disease

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

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Be Safe
Don't put yourself in harm's way or engage a suspect to gather more details about the situation. Your safety is paramount.

Call 9-1-1
If you think that a crime may be occurring, or that the safety of you or your neighbors may be at risk, don't hesitate to call 911. You shouldn’t worry about using up police time. Calls to 911 will be prioritized based on availability of law enforcement.
Even if you are unsure as to what is going on, the best thing to do is to let the police investigate. If you see someone knocking or ringing a neighbors doorbell late at night and they appear to be looking for a way in or checking a side gate, that would be a 911 call. You will not get in trouble if this does not turn out to be an attempted crime in progress.

It is ok to call 911 if some scruffy stranger is ringing your doorbell with no reasonable or legitimate reason to be there and the homeowner feels unsafe.