NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Confusion with the Metro Nashville non-emergency line has many individuals dealing with lengthy wait occasions with emergency communication crews in search of an answer to maintain individuals secure.

It’s a problem dozens of individuals stated they’re continuously working into.

When you name the non-emergency line – 615-862-8600 – you’re ready greater than half-hour, and in some instances, over an hour to talk to somebody.

Emergency communication crews stated it’s a problem they’re making an attempt to repair.

Hundreds of calls come by way of the Emergency Communications Center every day. Some are available in by way of the 911 line and others by way of the non-emergency line. Emergency Communications Director Stephen Martini stated that’s the place they’re working into points.

“There are long answering times or long wait times associated with the 8600 number,” Martini stated.

What’s inflicting the delay?

“We get phone calls from people reporting a traffic light that is out in an intersection, and even though that is a concern, it’s not time sensitive and life safety,” Martini stated.

He stated many individuals are unknowingly clogging up the non-emergency strains with points that may very well be addressed on-line and creating lengthy wait occasions. However, the confusion doesn’t cease there.

“The concerns that have been raised are I saw two people fist-fighting in a yard, and I called the 8600 number and it took a long time to get an answer or I saw a woman being pushed out of a car that was moving and I call 8600 and it took a long time to answer,” Martini stated.

All points Martini stated ought to have been to the 911 line as an alternative. He stated individuals are confused as to which quantity they need to name.

WSMV requested him to clear issues up.

“Things that could escalate and are life safety concerns that the waiting is important, then we call 911,” Martini stated.

Issues that aren’t as time delicate can go to the non-emergency quantity or be reported on-line.

“We are encouraging people to use hub Nashville, the smart phone app, or the website to report this ‘somebody needs to look at it and action still needs to be taken, but I don’t need to call 911 right now for it,” Martini stated.

Creating much less calls to the non-emergency line, however there’s additionally one other situation – short-staffing.

“We are looking for 40 new team members right now to add to our mix to help combat that problem,” Martini stated.

If extra individuals understood which useful resource to show to, and name heart positions refill, Martini stated the wait occasions would drop.

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