So you have to look up the non-emergency number while someone may or may not be getting in position to do you physical harm. Even if we hate Flock as a company, that individual very much knows we hate Flock, and has reason to fear for his safety.
Edit: and then the cops just talked to the guy doing the following and didn't arrest him or anything. The 911 call is almost a non-story. It's not even a microcosm of the actual problem with Flock and, let's not forget, its copycats.
> If you believe someone is watching and following you, then you can call the non-emergency number.
They can also drive to a police/fire station
This is actually something I've wondered about. What is the non-emergency number?
It’s just a regular phone number, so it depends what department you are trying to call. Google or a phone book is what you need.
It's usually on the web page of the local police or sheriff department.
311 does not reach law enforcement. 311 is the number to complain about code violations or request routine maintenance from the municipal government. The types of requests that go through City Hall during office hours.
They can give the location of the nearest police or fire station, for some non-emergancy law enforcement issues they will put you through to the county sheriff. Had a friend call over a property dispute with their roommate and they got and sent a sheriff over (within a city that had its own municipal police force)
The one thing you can do is call 911 and when they respond, just say "I need the non-emergency line" and they'll usually transfer you immediately or just check quickly with you. Just don't waffle on.
I was a paramedic/firefighter for 14 years. I think while there's merit in calling out people jumping at shadows, I do get how this situation, stupidly, escalated.
And there's a bit more to EMS than "imminent life threats only".
Property damage is often explicitly listed by municipalities as a reason to call 911. They might not care in New York or San Francisco, but in most small towns they usually try to catch vandals in the act.