911
If you or someone else are in immediate danger
Call 911 if you are able and feel safe doing so. Consider requesting "fire and rescue only" when appropriate (i.e., for behavioral health issues).
Alternative resources
Below are various alternatives to calling 911 in the Seattle, WA area.
Note: All resources listed are available 24 hours a day unless otherwise noted.
If you need the police for insurance purposes
If something of yours is stolen and you need to file a report for insurance or other purposes, consider going to the police station instead of bringing cops into your community. You may inadvertently be putting someone in your neighborhood at risk.
If that's not possible, call the non-emergency line at (206) 625-5011.
Why choose alternative resources?
Below are some alternative resources that will help to lessen the necessity of the police and protect vulnerable populations from state-sanctioned violence.
By reassigning responsibilities, we can work to delegitimize the police apparatus while building a stronger community run for and by the people. Together we can address issues that arise without criminalizing and harming those who just need help. We will be expanding this list as we receive new information.
Emergency Medical
AMR
DISCLAIMER: AMR works with the cops
For behavioral health situations you can potentially limit this possibility by suggesting that the Mobile Crisis Team might be helpful.
AMR may require the cops to “secure the scene” at their discretion (like if someone has a weapon or is deemed otherwise “dangerous”).
Seattle Fire Department
DISCLAIMER: Seattle Fire works with the cops
For behavioral health situations you can potentially limit this possibility by suggesting that the Mobile Crisis Team might be helpful. Seattle Fire also has their own internal response team called “Health One” that they may or may not choose to dispatch.
Seattle Fire may require the cops to “secure the scene” at their discretion (like if someone has a weapon or is deemed otherwise “dangerous”).
Housing
Downtown Emergency Services Center
DESC helps people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing.
Youth Haven Emergency Shelter
Youth Haven serves as short term emergency placement for homeless youth and for state involved youth through the Children’s Administration. Our agency owned Youth Haven home is a licensed staffed residential home for up to 12 youth. We provide safe, stable, temporary living alternatives to youth who are dealing with family crisis. The agency offers counseling and referral services to assist in the first steps toward family reconciliation or finding a safe, stable housing alternative.
For immediate help, youth may call the 24-hour hotline listed below. It connects them with trained staff who determine whether the caller is eligible for placement and make referrals, when appropriate, to other programs.
Mental Health
Crisis Connections
The 24-Hour Crisis Line provides immediate help to individuals, families, and friends of people in emotional crisis. We can help you determine if you or your loved one needs professional consultation and we can link you to the appropriate services.
If requested, a trained mobile response team will do a wellness check in person, without cops.
I’m Hurting Crisis Chat
Helps people by providing online emotional support during times of crisis. Everyone is welcome to talk about what’s causing them to feel pain. Crisis Counselors will listen to callers without judgment and help them feel cared about and safe. Based in Everett, WA
King County Crisis Hotline
The mental health crisis lines listed below are available for all people in Washington regardless of your income or whether you have insurance or not.
You may call your local county crisis line to request assistance for you or a friend or family member (24/7/365).
The number listed below is for King County. For the rest of the numbers please follow the link in the resource title or click here.
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. They’re run by and for trans people.
Oprima 2 para hablar con unx operador en español.
When you call:
- You’ll speak to a trans/nonbinary peer operator
- Full anonymity & confidentiality
- No nonconsensual active rescue (calling 911, emergency services, or law enforcement)
LGBTQIA+
Safe Place
Safe Place is a national program that provides on-site case management and support to youth ages 12-17 to find a safe place to sleep, including transportation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. King and Snohomish counties have safe place programs that can collaborate if a minor is in Snohomish and needs to go to King, and visa versa. For a list of all Safe Place locations, visit https://www.nationalsafeplace.org/where-is-safe-place.
- Safe Place can also provide information and support to young adults (18+) or other agency staff over the phone, but cannot meet adults in person or provide transportation.
- Text “SAFE” and your current address/location to
4HELP(44357) for the nearest Safe Place site where you can wait safely for a Safe Place staffer or call 1-800-422-TEEN (8336).
The NW Network
The NW Network increases our communities’ ability to support the self-determination and safety of bisexual, transgender, lesbian and gay survivors of abuse through education, organizing and advocacy. They work within a broad liberation movement dedicated to social and economic justice, equality and respect for all people and the creation of loving, inclusive and accountable communities.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. They’re run by and for trans people.
Oprima 2 para hablar con unx operador en español.
When you call:
- You’ll speak to a trans/nonbinary peer operator
- Full anonymity & confidentiality
- No nonconsensual active rescue (calling 911, emergency services, or law enforcement)
Health & Substance Abuse
Free 24 Hour Consulting Nurse
When a health concerns presents itself any time of the day or night, EvergreenHealth’s free consulting nurse service is here to help.
The consulting nurses are all registered nurses with years of experience. They can help determine if your symptoms:
- Can be treated at home
- Can wait for an appointment with your primary care physician
- Require immediate care at the emergency department or urgent care center
Press 2 at the prompt.
Seattle Narcotics Anonymous
A fellowship of recovering addicts who help each other.
Washington Poison Center
The Washington Poison Center provides immediate, free, and expert treatment advice and assistance on the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous, hazardous, or toxic substances. All calls are confidential.
Planned Parenthood
One of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education.
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline
A confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
Violence
API Chaya
Asian/Pacific Islander Community. Free, confidential, and culturally relevant.
They help survivors explore their options in a supportive environment. You can call them in any language and they will secure an interpreter.
Information about this resource available in various languages below:
Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center
If you are sexually assaulted, you can go to any of these ERs: Harborview, Swedish, Valley Medical, UW Medical, Virginia Mason, & Seattle Children’s. A Harborview trained sexual assault nurse will respond and an advocate will be called to support you.
Clinic open Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
KCSARC is a victim-advocacy organization that provides critical support, tools, and direct services to children, teens, women and men who are victims of sexual assault. KCSARC works with clients of all ages and from all backgrounds.
Every hour of the day, KCSARC has trained advocates ready to help you via its 24-Hour Resource Line. You can get help by calling 888.99.VOICE. Our advocates will answer your call, provide crisis intervention, information and referrals, and on-going support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
New Beginnings
The New Beginnings Helpline is available for anyone who is experiencing abuse and/or is worried about someone they know. You may not know if what you are experiencing is abuse, that’s ok, they can help. If you are a service provider or employer and are worried about one of your patients or employees, call this for tips on how to best support that person. Parents or school personnel who are concerned about a teen can call to get advice on how to talk to them about healthy relationships and/or to offer them support. Any adult or teen, regardless of gender, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, race, color, religion (creed), national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, or military status.
Se habla español.
The NW Network
The NW Network increases our communities’ ability to support the self-determination and safety of bisexual, transgender, lesbian and gay survivors of abuse through education, organizing and advocacy. They work within a broad liberation movement dedicated to social and economic justice, equality and respect for all people and the creation of loving, inclusive and accountable communities.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Safe Horizon Crime Victim Hotline
The Safe Horizon Crime Victim hotline advocates offer personalized, non-judgmental support. They can talk to you about your safety, provide information about resources in your community, and connect you to our programs and services.
Their confidential hotlines provide one-on-one support including:
- Crisis counseling
- Safety planning
- Assistance with finding Domestic Violence Shelters
- Information about resources
They can assist in any language.
Domestic Violence: 1 (800) 621-4673 Rape and Sexual Assault: 1 (212) 227-3000
StrongHearts Native Helpline
StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic, dating and sexual violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives, offering culturally-appropriate support and advocacy.
You can also visit their website and tap the chat button to chat with someone if calling doesn’t work for you.
StrongHearts advocates are mandatory reporters, but as an anonymous helpline, they do not have the information necessary to make reports.
Legal
National Lawyer Guild Arrest Support Hotline
The Mass Defense Committee (MDC) is a network of lawyers, legal workers and law students providing legal support for political activists, protesters and movements for social change.
MDC members in chapters across the country provide trainings, assistance in setting up temporary legal offices and legal support structures, and materials for supporting activists engaged in mass protests.
Seattle Hotline: (206) 658-7963 National Hotline: (212) 679-2811
Puget Sound Prisoner Support
An anarchist collective providing jail and prisoner support in the so-called Pacific Northwest since 2015. Includes bail support.
Safe Horizon Crime Victim Hotline
The Safe Horizon Crime Victim hotline advocates offer personalized, non-judgmental support. They can talk to you about your safety, provide information about resources in your community, and connect you to our programs and services.
Their confidential hotlines provide one-on-one support including:
- Crisis counseling
- Safety planning
- Assistance with finding Domestic Violence Shelters
- Information about resources
They can assist in any language.
Youth
Crisis Connections Teen Link
Teen Link is a confidential and anonymous help line for teens. Trained teen volunteers are available to talk with you about any issue of concern. No issue is too big or too small!
Available via phone call and text message at the same number listed below.
Evenings: 2:00pm - 10:00pm Sat/Sun: 6:00pm-10:00pm
Youth Haven Emergency Shelter
Youth Haven serves as short term emergency placement for homeless youth and for state involved youth through the Children’s Administration. Our agency owned Youth Haven home is a licensed staffed residential home for up to 12 youth. We provide safe, stable, temporary living alternatives to youth who are dealing with family crisis. The agency offers counseling and referral services to assist in the first steps toward family reconciliation or finding a safe, stable housing alternative.
For immediate help, youth may call the 24-hour hotline listed below. It connects them with trained staff who determine whether the caller is eligible for placement and make referrals, when appropriate, to other programs.
Safe Place
Safe Place is a national program that provides on-site case management and support to youth ages 12-17 to find a safe place to sleep, including transportation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. King and Snohomish counties have safe place programs that can collaborate if a minor is in Snohomish and needs to go to King, and visa versa. For a list of all Safe Place locations, visit https://www.nationalsafeplace.org/where-is-safe-place.
- Safe Place can also provide information and support to young adults (18+) or other agency staff over the phone, but cannot meet adults in person or provide transportation.
- Text “SAFE” and your current address/location to
4HELP(44357) for the nearest Safe Place site where you can wait safely for a Safe Place staffer or call 1-800-422-TEEN (8336).
Other Resources
Washington 211
2-1-1 helps connect you to community resources statewide.
You can also search online here.
Q-Defense Seattle
Members & allies of the LGBTQIA+ community committed to Community Defense of the people, by the people, no police.
Mandatory Reporters
Certain resources' representatives are mandatory reporters. Mandatory reporters are required to report certain things (typically situations involving potential illegalities) to the police. For example, in most states and US territories, mandatory reporters are obliged to report actual or suspected child abuse or neglect to the state.
Mandatory reporters are only able to make reports when they have sufficient information. Usually this means the name and location of the abuser.
If you remain anonymous, mandatory reporters will be unable to make a report to the state on your behalf. This is not legal advice.
Learn more about mandatory reporter laws here.
About
not911.me is a project of the Seattle Tech Bloc.
Some of these resources were originally shared by DontCallThePolice.com. We'd like to extend a thank you for their generosity in sharing resources with us.
Some of these resources were also originally shared on the No 911 - Seattle.pdf. We do not know who to credit for compiling these resources. If you happen to know, please reach out to us using the methods listed below so we can appropriately credit the original authors.
The 12 Things To Do Instead of Calling the Cops zine was also a great inspiration for some of the text on this page. Please check that zine out for more ideas of how to avoid bringing the cops into your communities!
The what to do instead of calling the cops during mental health crisis and why they might show up anyway zine also has some really good information about who to call instead of the police and some problems with those resources.
To report any corrections to this site, either fill in the form below, email us at techblocsea@protonmail.com, or message us on Twitter.
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