The Decatur police non-emergency number is 404-373-6551. It reaches the Decatur Police Department for situations that need officer attention but don’t involve an immediate threat to people or property. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the department is located at 420 West Trinity Place, Decatur, GA 30030.1Decatur GA. Non-Emergency Number
When to Call 911 Instead
The rule is simple. If someone is in danger right now, call 911. That covers crimes in progress, fires, medical emergencies, and traffic collisions where anyone is hurt. The non-emergency line is for everything else that still warrants a police response. If you can’t tell which fits, call 911 and let the dispatcher route you. You won’t get in trouble for guessing wrong on the side of caution.
What Belongs on the Non-Emergency Line
- Burglaries, thefts, or car break-ins discovered after the fact, when no suspect is on scene.
- Vandalism and property damage with no one currently present.
- Noise complaints. Decatur’s ordinance sets limits of 65 dB during the day (7:00 a.m. to 9:59 p.m.) and 60 dB at night.2Decatur GA. Noise Ordinance
- Animal issues such as strays, bites after the fact, or persistent barking.
- Lost or found property.
- Minor traffic accidents without injuries. Georgia requires a report when property damage exceeds $500, so even a fender-bender may need one.
- Follow-ups on a case you’ve already reported, or new information to add.
Jurisdiction: Decatur City Limits Only
The Decatur Police Department handles calls inside the city limits of Decatur. If your address falls in unincorporated DeKalb County or in a neighboring city, your call belongs with DeKalb County Police at 404-294-2911.3DeKalb County, GA. Contact Us If you’re not sure which jurisdiction covers your location, either department can transfer you.
What to Have Ready Before You Dial
A short bit of prep makes the call move faster.
- Your name and a callback number.
- The address or nearest intersection where it happened. Location determines jurisdiction, so be precise.
- A plain account of what occurred, in order. When you first noticed it, what’s missing or damaged, whether you saw anyone.
- For theft or damage, estimated values. Serial numbers for electronics help, because they go into recovery databases.
- Any description you have of a person or vehicle: clothing, build, make, color, plate.
What Happens After You Call
The dispatcher takes your information and assigns a case number. Write it down. You’ll need it for insurance claims, follow-up calls, and any request for a copy of the report. If an officer is being sent, dispatch time depends on current call volume, so expect a wait on busy nights.
Not every report brings an officer to your door. For lower-priority incidents, such as a car break-in with no suspect information, the dispatcher may take the full report over the phone. You still get a case number and a documented report.
Getting a Copy of the Report
Copies go through the department’s open records process. Accident reports are $5.00; other documents run $0.10 per page, with digital copies on USB priced at $10.00.4Decatur GA. Police Department Open Records Request Request forms are on the city website or available in person at headquarters. Insurance carriers almost always want the report before processing a claim, so put the request in as soon as the report is finalized. Simple incidents are usually ready within a few business days.