Government guide · Spokane, WA

Spokane 311 and Crime Check: what changes Oct. 27

This page summarizes official City of Spokane and Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) guidance on how to report non-emergency police and fire matters. It is not legal or emergency advice. In any emergency, call 911.

Last reviewed: October 11, 2026. SpokaneWire cites official sources inline; see our standards.

What is changing inside city limits?

On October 27, 2026, the City of Spokane will route non-emergency police and fire calls within city limits through Spokane 311 instead of Crime Check. The City describes examples such as suspicious activity, a crime no longer in progress, or other incidents that do not require an immediate emergency response — reported by dialing 311. City release

Spokane 311 will still handle other City services (service requests, utility billing, potholes, and general City information). The City says residents will no longer need separate numbers for many City-related needs. City release

The City describes this as the first operational milestone as it establishes its own emergency communications system, taking over further milestones in phases over the next two years. City release · City transition FAQ

When to call 911

Call 911 when there is an emergency or a life-threatening situation in progress or just occurred. The City transition FAQ lists examples including assault, fire, medical emergencies, domestic violence in progress, overdose, and similar situations. City transition FAQ

SREC publishes its own, longer list of when to call 911, including in-progress crimes or crimes where the suspect is still in the area, traffic accidents with parties still on scene, hit-and-run crashes, assaults, domestic violence crimes, fires, and emergency medical needs. SREC's list also includes burglary, motor vehicle theft, and theft or property damage of $10,000 or more, which the City FAQ's 311 examples handle differently. If you are unsure how to report something, SREC advises calling 911 and a Communications Officer will direct you. SREC 911 & Crime Check

When to call 311 (city limits, after Oct. 27)

After the transition, the City directs people within Spokane city limits to call 311 for non-emergency police or fire matters that do not need an immediate emergency response. The City transition FAQ lists examples including vandalism, vehicle prowling, suspicious person or vehicle, fraud or identity theft, unlawful camping, and abandoned or stolen vehicles, and describes 311 as the number for a crime that has already happened with no immediate threat to life or property. City transition FAQ

If you are unsure whether it is an emergency, Spokane County's Crime Check page says to dial 911 and let the call receiver decide what action is needed. Spokane County Crime Check

SREC's site notes that starting October 27, non-emergencies within City of Spokane limits should go to 311. SREC

Outside city limits (county and other cities)

Crime Check remains the non-emergency line for matters outside City of Spokane limits. The City transition FAQ states that for requests outside city limits, callers should continue to use Crime Check for non-emergency matters, and that the Crime Check number will still work during the transition. City transition FAQ

SREC handles non-emergency calls through Crime Check, at 509-456-2233, and says it processes reports for local law enforcement agencies as determined by those agencies. City transition FAQ · SREC

The following areas continue to use Crime Check at 509-456-2233 for non-emergency police reports: Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Airway Heights, Cheney, Medical Lake, Millwood, Deer Park, Latah, Fairfield, Rockford, Spangle, Waverly, and unincorporated Spokane County. SREC transition page

SREC's online reporting tool lets you choose a jurisdiction (Spokane County unincorporated areas, Spokane Valley, City of Spokane, Liberty Lake, and Airway Heights police departments). SREC says to pick the agency that patrols where the crime occurred, which may not be where you live, and offers a jurisdiction map. Cheney residents cannot file online and are told to call (509) 535-9233. SREC online reporting

Hours and after-hours behavior

• Crime Check (outside city limits): Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 509-456-2233. Spokane County Crime Check · SREC (call Crime Check anytime)
• Dialing 311: The City transition FAQ states residents can dial 311 at any hour. Non-emergency police and fire calls are directed to the City's SUN system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other City-related service calls are handled by 311 representatives during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.). City transition FAQ
• Phone (general 311 customer service): The City's My Spokane 311 FAQ lists phone hours as Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. (except major holidays). My Spokane 311 FAQ (PDF)
• In person: My Spokane counter at Spokane City Hall ( first floor), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (except major holidays). My Spokane 311 FAQ (PDF) · My Spokane account help
• Outside city limits (City customer service): The City account help page lists 509-755-2489 ( 509-755-CITY) for people outside city limits who need City of Spokane customer service by phone. My Spokane account help
• 311 geographic reach: The My Spokane 311 FAQ states that 311 is only active inside City of Spokane city limits; outside the city, callers should use 509-755-2489 for the same customer-service functions. My Spokane 311 FAQ (PDF)

Report online

The City transition FAQ says residents can continue to submit requests online, including non-emergency police and fire calls and other service requests. City transition FAQ

• City of Spokane: my.spokanecity.org/account (also account help and the My Spokane 311 portal). Email: my311@spokanecity.org per the My Spokane 311 FAQ. My Spokane 311 FAQ (PDF)
• SPD non-emergency / reports (current City page): The City police reports page still lists Crime Check at 509-456-2233 for non-emergency police services and notes Crime Check online reporting; this may change after Oct. 27, so check City pages after the switch. City police reports
• SREC / county jurisdictions: SREC online reporting (jurisdiction map included). Phone alternative: Crime Check at 509-456-2233. SREC

Quick reference

Table derived from City transition FAQ, City release, and SREC.

Official sources

• City of Spokane news release (Sept. 29, 2026): non-emergency calls through Spokane 311
• City of Spokane / SUN 911 – Crime Check to 311 transition FAQ (PDF)
• My Spokane 311 frequently asked questions (PDF)
• My Spokane account help
• Spokane Police — reports and non-emergency
• SREC — 911 and Crime Check
• SREC — online reporting