Do you ever wonder who to call when you spot a stray dog running in the streets or see a traffic light that’s not working in Sacramento County? Now there’s one simple number to remember: 311. Whether it’s abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, trees blocking the road way, hazardous waste or missed garbage service, you can call, click, or tap Sacramento County’s 311 Connect to get in contact with the right people.
“Our 311 Connect system has been a great success since the day it launched, said Bradley J. Hudson, County Executive. “Residents love the great service they receive and the ease of not having to remember which departments to call.”
The 311 Call Center is fully staffed to take calls from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Overnight, a smaller crew dispatches responders and monitors the County’s alarm systems.
"The goal is to quickly answer every call that comes in because you never know what it could be,” said County 311 employee, Jacqueline Mead. A great example of this is when, “you're driving down the road and the lights are flashing red [at the traffic signal], the driver can stop and call County 311. We can have someone come out to direct the traffic and assess the issue at the intersection."
Another example of when to call is if you notice illegal dumping on the side of the road or in a neighborhood. County 311 can send out service to remove the garbage in a timely matter. If all of us chips in to keep the County safe and clean, it can really benefit the entire community.
It is essential to remember that, "311 isn't an emergency number for law enforcement; 911 is the best number to call for emergencies,” Mead added. “If you’ve got a question or issue with services in the County, especially the unincorporated County areas, that’s the time to contact 311.”
According to the monthly call volume, the top three topics are garbage service, animal care and zoning codes. July had the highest volume so far with more than 26,000 calls.
To call for information, report an issue or request a service, call 311 or 916-875-4311 if you’re out of the County. You can also report an issue online whenever it’s most convenient for you by going to the 311 Connect website or download the free Sac County 311 Connect mobile app. By going online or using the app, you can also send photos of the situation.
Writer: Alicia Solheim, Communication and Media Intern