Carter Riverside Neighborhood Association

Residents please be aware of persons ringing doorbells or knocking on doors.  Do not answer your door; if you don't know the person.  Give no personal information.  If you have a peephole, look and make a good judgment.   If you have a security door, do not unlock it.  Report any activity to the Police Department.  Call 911 and report.

Unless the person ringing your doorbell and knocking on your door is attempting to make a forced entry to your home, DO NOT CALL 9-1-1.  CALL the normal Fort Worth Police Department number which is (817) 335-4222.  9-1-1 is for LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES ONLY, not to report peddlers or solicitors. 

The misuse of 9-1-1 for non-life-threatening emergencies or to call an ambulance for non-emergency transport to a hospital (such as for a broken arm or leg) costs the City of Fort Worth, i.e., the taxpayers, including the residents of White Lake Hills, millions of dollars each year.  The Fire Department, the Police Department, and MedStar Ambulance all are involved in sorting out who actually needs to come to the caller's address for the 'emergency' when a 9-1-1 call is placed.

Yes, 9-1-1 is convenient to remember but is not intended for non-emergency situations such as those described above.  By the time the police arrive, the peddler or solicitor (nine times out of ten this is whom is knocking on  your door or ringing your doorbell) has long since left the area and the police officer's time and resources could have been used to answer real emergency calls or life-threatening emergencies.

Write down (817) 335-4222 near your telephone and USE IT for these sorts of situations.