A change has taken place with the City of Newport News non-emergency dispatch number. Beginning in late July, calls coming into the non-emergency dispatch number (757-247-2500) are now being answered by an auto-attendant. The auto-attendant will give citizens the option to be connected to the more common non-emergency referrals, such as the Crime Reporting Unit, Booking, Magistrate’s Office, Courts, and 311. There is also an option to remain on the line in order to speak directly with a dispatcher.

The purpose and goal of the auto-attendant is to attempt to reduce the incoming non-emergency calls, leaving the dispatchers available to handle true emergencies on 911. We hope that this system will better serve our citizens by giving them non-emergency information in a more expeditious manner.