The St. Pete non-emergency number is 727-893-7780. Call it for police matters that are real but not urgent: a situation that isn’t an immediate threat to anyone’s safety and isn’t a crime happening right now. For emergencies or crimes in progress, call 911.
What Belongs on the Non-Emergency Line
Calling 727-893-7780 connects you to a dispatcher who can send an officer or route you to the right department. Use it for things like:
- A car break-in, theft, or vandalism you discovered after the fact, with no suspect still around
- Noise complaints
- Suspicious activity that isn’t immediately dangerous
- General requests for police assistance
The common thread is that the incident has already happened or isn’t escalating. If a suspect is on scene, if someone is hurt, or if the situation could turn dangerous in the next few minutes, it’s a 911 call instead.1St. Petersburg Police Department. St. Petersburg Police Department Phone Directory
When To Call 911 Instead
Call 911 any time someone’s life, health, or safety is in immediate danger, or when a crime is actively unfolding. That covers an assault in progress, a break-in while someone is home, a serious crash with injuries, a fire, or any medical emergency. If you’re unsure which line fits, 911 is the safer choice. Dispatchers can reroute a non-emergency call, but they can’t respond to an emergency they don’t know about.2St. Petersburg Police Department. Department Location
What To Have Ready Before You Call
Dispatchers move faster when you can give them specifics upfront. Try to have:
- The street address, or cross-streets or a nearby landmark if you don’t have one
- The time you noticed or witnessed the incident, even if approximate
- Descriptions of any people involved, including clothing, height, and distinguishing features
- Vehicle details: make, model, color, and license plate if you have it
- A brief factual account of what you actually saw or found, not what you think may have happened
You don’t need every detail to make the call. A partial plate or vague description is still more useful than waiting until your memory fades.
Online Reporting
For incidents where no suspect is present and no officer needs to come out, you can file certain reports through the department’s website at police.stpete.org. That’s often the right path when you’re documenting property damage for an insurance claim.3St. Petersburg Police Department. St. Petersburg Police Department
Anonymous Tips
If you have information about criminal activity but don’t want to give your name, the St. Petersburg Police Department takes anonymous tips through Tip411, online or by text. For incidents elsewhere in Pinellas County, Crime Stoppers of Pinellas also accepts anonymous tips and offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.4Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Crime Stoppers of Pinellas
When It’s Not an SPPD Matter
Some issues go faster if you skip the police line and call the right agency directly.
- Codes Compliance (727-893-7373): zoning violations, unsafe structures, overgrown vegetation, junk and debris on vacant lots, and housing maintenance standards.5City of St. Petersburg. Codes Enforcement
- Pinellas County Animal Services (727-582-2600): stray animals, animal cruelty, and other pet-related concerns.6Pinellas County. Animal Services Department
- Pinellas County Sheriff Non-Emergency (727-582-6200): if you’re in an unincorporated area of the county rather than inside St. Petersburg city limits, the sheriff handles your non-emergency calls.7Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Contact Us
- SPPD Main Number (727-893-7521): administrative questions about the police department that aren’t about reporting an incident.8St. Petersburg Police Department. Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL)
Accessibility
The City of St. Petersburg provides a TDD/TTY line at 727-892-5259 for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing. Dialing 711 for Florida Relay Service also connects you to the non-emergency line through a relay operator.
A Note on False Reports
Filing a false police report is a criminal offense in Florida, and that applies on the non-emergency line too. Depending on the circumstances, intentionally giving false information to law enforcement can bring misdemeanor or felony charges. Report what you actually observed, and if you’re unsure about a detail, say so rather than guess.