Charleston County Non-Emergency Number: Calls, Filing, Reports

The Charleston County non-emergency number is 843-743-7200. It reaches the county’s consolidated dispatch center 24 hours a day and covers police, fire, and animal calls across the City of Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and the unincorporated areas served by the Sheriff’s Office.¹²³⁴ The system routes your call to the right agency based on your location. Active emergencies take priority, so expect a hold during busy stretches.

When to Use the Non-Emergency Line

Call 843-743-7200 when nobody is in danger and no crime is actively unfolding. Typical reasons include:

A past crime with no suspect on scene, like an overnight car break-in, a porch theft, or fresh graffiti.
Noise complaints, including loud music and barking dogs.
Parking violations and vehicles blocking driveways.
Minor traffic accidents with no injuries and cooperating drivers.
Animal control issues such as stray dogs, loose livestock, or neglect concerns.
Suspicious activity that isn’t urgent, like an unfamiliar car parked on your street for days.

If the situation changes and someone is hurt or threatened, hang up and dial 911. The dispatch center also accepts emergency texts, which matters for callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or unable to speak safely.⁵

What to Have Ready Before You Call

Gathering a few details first shortens the call and produces a more useful report. Be ready to give the dispatcher:

The exact address or the nearest cross streets.
When the incident happened or when you noticed it.
A short description of what occurred, what was damaged or taken, and the approximate value.
Descriptions of anyone involved, including clothing, height, and the direction they went.
Serial numbers for stolen electronics, bikes, or firearms.

Specific details make the report more useful to investigators and to your insurer if you need to file a claim.

When You Can File Online Instead

For some low-level incidents in the City of Charleston, you can skip the phone call. The Charleston Police Department runs an online portal that accepts reports, photos, videos, and other evidence through a secure form, with no officer response required.⁶ Eligible report types include:

Theft and theft from a vehicle
Shoplifting
Vandalism and vandalism to a vehicle
Identity theft
Electronic harassment
Lost property

Online submissions are reviewed, assigned, and investigated the same way as reports taken over the phone or in person.⁶ The city also hosts an incident reporting page at charleston-sc.gov/onlinereporting.⁷ If there’s an injury, a known suspect nearby, or a crime in progress, use 911 or the non-emergency line instead.

Animal Calls Go Through the Same Number

Animal complaints also run through 843-743-7200. During regular working hours, the 911 Center dispatches Animal Control. After hours, patrol deputies handle animal calls, and dedicated Animal Control staff come out only for genuine emergencies such as a vicious or possibly rabid animal still on scene, an injured animal needing immediate care, or livestock in a roadway.⁸ Non-emergency animal complaints received after hours are held until the next business day.

One boundary worth knowing: Animal Control does not trap wildlife. For raccoons in the attic or a snake in the garage, the dispatcher will refer you to local nuisance wildlife services.⁸

Getting a Copy of Your Report

If you need the report for insurance, a landlord, or your own records, request it from the agency that took it. For City of Charleston reports, call the Records Division at (843) 720-2412, or visit the Records Office at police headquarters, 180 Lockwood Boulevard. Bring a state-issued ID along with the date, time, location, and type of incident. A standard report costs $5, and crime victims can get their own report at no charge.⁷ For Charleston County Sheriff’s Office reports, contact their Records Division at (843) 554-2450.⁴

Can You Get in Trouble for Calling the Wrong Line

Honest misjudgment isn’t a crime. South Carolina Code Section 23-47-80 makes it a misdemeanor to harass a 911 dispatcher, tie up the line on purpose, or intentionally make a false report, with a penalty of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $200, or both.⁹ The statute targets intentional abuse. If you aren’t sure which line fits your situation, call and let the dispatcher redirect you.

1
City of Charleston. Resources
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City of North Charleston. Police Department
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Town of Mount Pleasant. Important Phone Numbers
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Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Contact Us
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Charleston County Government. Consolidated Emergency Communications Center
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City of Charleston. Charleston Police Launch Online Reporting Website
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City of Charleston. Frequently Asked Questions – Police Department
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Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Animal Control
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South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 23 Chapter 47 Section 23-47-80 – Penalties