This summer, the City of Portland and Multnomah County are teaming up to get the word out about PDX 311, a public information resource that provides community members with a single point of contact for local government and the services it provides, while helping lower non-emergency call wait times. Community members can reach the PDX 311 team by calling 3-1-1, emailing 311@portlandoregon.gov or visiting in person at the Portland Building, which reopened to the public on June 1.
"No one should have to wait long periods of time when they are experiencing an emergency. 311's enhanced public information resource will help alleviate wait times for 911 while providing Portlanders with an option to immediately receive crucial information, report non-emergencies and much more," said Mayor Wheeler. "Thank you to the PDX 311 team who have been hard at work to make this possible and make the vision to refocus our public safety system a reality."
Anyone within Multnomah County can email or dial 3-1-1 or 503-823-4000 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and reach a team staffed by the City of Portland ready to help community members access local government information, request services or report non-emergency issues. Team members are fluent in English, Spanish, Romanian and Tagalog—with interpretation resources to assist community members in additional languages.
City Commissioner Mingus Mapps oversees Portland's Bureau of Emergency Communications, which operates the 911 center.
“I am very excited that 311 is coming online for non-emergency calls and hopeful that it will ease the wait times for emergencies. I want to thank City of Portland staff who have worked incredibly hard to make 311 happen,” Commissioner Mapps said.
PDX 311 staff can assist anyone in Multnomah County on topics ranging from finding information about property or neighborhoods; reporting issues like graffiti, road hazards, or abandoned vehicles; filing police reports for certain thefts; or getting started planning a community event or block party. Staff can navigate, find information, and reach the right resource for services provided by the cities of Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village.
“Connecting with your government should be easy,” PDX 311’s program manager Michelle Kunec-North said. “You shouldn’t need to know how your government is structured to get information or services.”
Possible because of strong partnerships with local jurisdictions and regional public safety agencies, PDX 311 serves as a single point of contact to ask questions, request assistance or report an issue. “If we don't know the answer, we'll connect you to someone who does,” Kunec-North said.
Community members should still call 911 for situations involving an immediate threat to life or property.
“The Bureau of Emergency Communications greatly appreciates the partnership with the City’s 311 program. We anticipate significantly improved customer service for our community members who need to access non-emergency and referral information now provided by 311,” said Bob Cozzie, the bureau's director.
Contact PDX 311
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (excluding federal holidays)
Call
3-1-1 or 503-823-4000
Email
311@portlandoregon.gov
Visit online
portland.gov/311
Visit in person
Portland Building
1120 SW Fifth Avenue
In-person services are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Interpretation services available