Faster for the Urgent: A New Approach to Non-Emergency Calls

Mar 5, 2026

The latest episode of TalkBGKY, the City of Bowling Green’s official podcast, takes you inside an important update at the Bowling Green Police Department, the introduction of automated call takers for the non-emergency line. First and foremost: Every 911 call will always be answered by a live calltaker. Always. When there’s an emergency, a real person will be there to answer. So what’s changing? Every day, the dedicated professionals at our dispatch center answer thousands of calls. Many are true emergencies. Many others are non-emergency calls like reporting a lost wallet, needing information, or requesting direction. These calls absolutely matter. They deserve care, attention, and accurate documentation. The challenge? Non-emergency calls often come in at the exact same time as life-threatening situations. When that happens, human call takers are pulled in two directions, and urgent calls, like a robbery happening right now, can end up waiting longer than anyone would want. The new automated system will help handle routine, non-emergency calls, freeing up our trained professionals to focus immediately on critical situations. It’s about using technology wisely so that when seconds matter most, help is there faster. Take a listen to this episode of TalkBGKY to learn: • How the automated non-emergency system works • What callers can expect • Why 911 will always remain person-to-person • How this change strengthens public safety for everyone We care about every call. This new tool helps ensure the most urgent ones get answered without delay. Listen now and stay informed, Bowling Green

Category: Spotlight on Bowling Green