What is National 311 Day?

National 311 Day on 311 Day provides an annual reminder that 311 is a resource for communities around the country to connect with their city and non-emergency services. The 311 system is the non-emergency number to call in many cities around the country for residents to report problems, find out about city services, and ask questions.

Non-emergency calls have slowed operators' response times to true emergencies since the introduction of the 911 emergency system. Baltimore, Maryland, first 311 system in 1996, as a way to relieve pressure on the overburdened 911 system. The new technology enabled emergency phone lines and reduced wait times for emergency calls, assisting 911 dispatchers in getting emergency services to people who need them more quickly, ultimately saving lives. While more closely linking the public sector to its residents, the citizens were also encouraged to be the city's eyes and ears by the 311 system, which also encouraged the citizens to be the city's ears and ears.

Citizens call the 311 number to report problems they have discovered in their own towns. Residents' newspapers include: Here are a few examples of the kinds of reports that people read include: