An interesting read, and I agree that most of the things on this list are a decent alternative to calling the cops. I think that there also needs to be a heuris

An interesting read, and I agree that most of the things on this list are a decent alternative to calling the cops. I think that there also needs to be a heuristic for when one should call the cops, though (because I don't believe, as an anarchist might, that state law enforcement is an inherently illegitimate thing to have, just because I don't like the American version). Here are some times when I would call the cops via 911 (e. g., come quickly, be prepared for something dangerous to happen): * A mugging, assault, or fight in progress. * A person brandishing a weapon - a knife or firearm, for instance. * Someone driving erratically (eg swerving, veering into incoming traffic) or hyper-aggressively (see above) * A break-in or property theft where a person is inside/nearby/would be at risk if seen Basically, any time there is an obvious, emergent, physical threat to myself or someone else for which reciprocal violence might be a necessary and valid response. For everything else, there are these resources, or the non-emergency number. Police are much less likely to respond in a hyper-aggressive way if you do not present the situation as an emergency.