Columbia County Sheriff: Use Non-Emergency Line for Routine Calls

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is asking residents to stop calling 911 for non-emergency matters like noise complaints, stray animals, overnight vehicle break-ins, and case updates.

Dispatchers should handle routine inquiries on the non-emergency line at (386) 719-2005. Residents should call 911 only for immediate threats to life or property, including medical emergencies, fires, crimes in progress, and safety threats.

Non-emergency calls tie up 911 lines needed for life-threatening situations. When dispatchers field routine inquiries, response times slow for callers facing urgent danger.