The Portsmouth Police Department non-emergency number is 757-393-5300.1Portsmouth, VA – Official Website. Police Department Use it when you need police attention but nobody is in immediate danger. If someone’s life or safety is at risk right now, call 911 instead.
When to Call 757-393-5300 Instead of 911
The test is simple. Is anyone in danger at this moment? If yes, 911. If the situation has already passed or no one is at risk, the non-emergency line is the right call. Dispatchers handle non-emergency reports behind active emergencies, so your call still goes through, just without pulling responders away from someone who needs them more urgently.
Common reasons to use the non-emergency line:
- Property crimes you discover after the fact, like a car break-in you find in the morning, a stolen package, or overnight vandalism
- Noise complaints, including loud parties, construction outside permitted hours, or ongoing disturbances covered under Portsmouth’s noise control ordinance
- Parking problems and abandoned vehicles, including cars blocking driveways or vehicles left on the street for extended periods
- Stray or loose animals; the Portsmouth Animal Control Unit operates under the police department, and dispatchers can route animal calls to the right team2Portsmouth, VA – Official Website. Animal Control Unit
- Suspicious activity that isn’t an emergency, like an unfamiliar vehicle parked in your neighborhood for days
Filing these reports matters even when nothing is actively happening. Non-emergency reports help police track patterns and allocate patrols. A noise complaint on a Friday night becomes data that can justify more weekend enforcement on your block.
311 Is for City Services, Not Police
Portsmouth also runs a 311 call center for general city service issues. It operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Potholes, missed trash pickup, and code enforcement questions go to 311. Anything that needs a police response, even a non-urgent one, goes to 757-393-5300.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
A little preparation saves time for you and the dispatcher. Before dialing, gather:
- The street address or nearest cross-streets where the incident happened
- Descriptions of people involved (clothing, height, build, hair color) and any vehicles (make, model, color, license plate)
- A timeline: when you noticed the problem and, if you can estimate, when it likely occurred
- For stolen or damaged property, item descriptions, approximate values, and serial numbers where available
Write it down before you call. Details fade fast, and the dispatcher will ask specific questions. Keeping the case number the dispatcher gives you also simplifies any insurance claim later.
Filing a Report Online Through the P2C Portal
Portsmouth’s Police-to-Citizen portal lets you submit some non-emergency incident reports from a computer or phone without waiting on hold.3Portsmouth Police To Citizen. Portsmouth Police To Citizen The portal walks you through a set of prompts and gives you a confirmation with a tracking number so you can check status or print a copy for your records. It works well for straightforward incidents like minor property damage or theft with no suspect present. If your situation is complicated or you’re not sure which category it fits, call 757-393-5300 so a dispatcher can ask the right follow-up questions.
Anonymous Tips Go Through the Crime Line
If you have information about criminal activity but don’t want your name attached to it, use the Portsmouth Crime Line, not the non-emergency number.4Portsmouth Crime Line. About Us Tips can be submitted through the Crime Line’s website or mobile app. The program is run by an independent nonprofit rather than the police department, which puts a layer of separation between your tip and law enforcement. Tips that lead to an arrest or other results may qualify for a cash reward.
Text-to-911 Is for Emergencies Only
Portsmouth supports Text-to-911 for situations where speaking out loud could put you at risk.5Portsmouth, VA – Official Website. Text-to-911 It’s not a substitute for the non-emergency line. A voice call is preferred whenever you can safely make one, because dispatchers can gather information faster by talking.
Crash Reports Come From the DMV
If you need a copy of a Portsmouth crash report for insurance or legal reasons, the request goes through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles rather than the police department.6Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Request a Police Crash Report Each report costs $8, refunded if no report is found. You can request one by mail, fax, or in person at any DMV customer service center. Include the crash date and time, the location, and the names of drivers involved. Reports are returned by first-class mail. Drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, attorneys, and insurance representatives are eligible to request them.
False Reports Are a Class 1 Misdemeanor
Virginia law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly file a false crime report with any law enforcement agency, or to summon police without just cause and with intent to interfere with their operations.7Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 18.2-461 – Falsely Summoning or Giving False Reports to Law-Enforcement Officials A Class 1 misdemeanor carries up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.8Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code Title 18.2 Chapter 1 Article 3 – Classification of Criminal Offenses and Punishment Therefor The statute targets fabrication and deliberate misuse of police resources. Reporting something in good faith based on what you saw is not what it addresses.