The Boston non-emergency police number is 617-343-4200, which rings the Operations division at Boston Police headquarters. Use it when you need police involvement but no one is in immediate danger. One thing worth knowing before you dial: Boston Police do not take reports over the phone or through their website, so anything beyond a general question means a trip to a district station in person.1Boston Police Department. Report An Incident
When to Call 617-343-4200
The non-emergency line is the right number for past incidents and low-urgency situations. Think of a car broken into overnight, graffiti on your building, lost property you need documented for insurance, or a general question about police services in your neighborhood.
It also covers noise complaints from construction or gatherings that haven’t turned violent, minor traffic issues, and non-violent disputes with neighbors. If waiting a while for a response won’t put anyone at risk or let a suspect get away, this is your line.
When to Call 911 Instead
If a crime is happening right now, someone is in danger, or there’s any medical emergency, call 911. The Boston Police reporting page states it directly: if you’re reporting an incident that is currently happening and you need a police response, call 911.1Boston Police Department. Report An Incident
Domestic violence, weapons, active break-ins, a suspicious person on your property, or any threat of physical harm all belong on 911. When you can’t tell which line fits, call 911 and let the dispatcher route it.
When to Call 311 Instead
Plenty of complaints people assume are police matters aren’t. Boston runs a 311 service, reachable by phone or through the BOS:311 app, for potholes, broken streetlights, missed trash pickups, abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, and sidewalk damage.2City of Boston. BOS:311 App The 311 hotline runs 24 hours and sends your request straight to the city department that handles it.
The line between the two is simple. If the problem needs an officer, call 617-343-4200. If it needs a city crew or a code inspector, call 311. A loud party at 1 a.m. goes to police. A pothole swallowing your tire goes to 311.
How to File a Non-Emergency Report
Since neither the phone line nor the website accepts reports, filing means walking into any Boston Police station. That covers theft, vandalism, lost property, and anything else you need on record for insurance or personal reasons.1Boston Police Department. Report An Incident
Bring what you’d want on the report: the location, an approximate date and time, and descriptions of any property involved. Serial numbers and model information help for stolen electronics or vehicles. You’ll also need a valid photo ID so the department can verify who’s filing.
District Station Numbers
If you already know your district, calling that station’s front desk can be quicker than going through Operations. A few of the most commonly used numbers:3Boston Police Department. Districts
- District A-1 (Downtown/Beacon Hill): 617-343-4240
- District B-2 (Roxbury): 617-343-4270
- District C-11 (Dorchester): 617-343-4330
- District E-13 (Jamaica Plain): 617-343-5630
The full district list, with addresses and desk numbers, is on the BPD districts page. If you’re not sure which district covers your address, the city’s police department page lists each one alongside the neighborhoods it serves.4City of Boston. Police
Anonymous Tips
If you have information about criminal activity but don’t want your name attached, the Boston Police CrimeStoppers tip line is 1-800-494-TIPS (8477).5Boston Police Department. Contact Us It’s a separate channel from the non-emergency line, built for anonymous reporting, and tips that lead to an arrest can qualify for a cash reward.
False Reports Are a Crime in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law treats false police reports seriously. Anyone who intentionally and knowingly makes or causes a false crime report to be made faces a fine between $100 and $500, up to one year in jail, or both.6General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Part IV Title I Chapter 269 Section 13A That covers inflating an incident for an insurance claim, inventing a theft, or accusing someone of a crime you know they didn’t commit. The report becomes evidence against the person who filed it.