Every dispatched call carries a type — the dispatcher's initial classification of what was reported. Agencies label similar incidents differently: Dispatchr groups them into consistent categories where it can, and otherwise shows the label as the agency publishes it. This page documents both, across all 13 covered cities.
Two things to keep in mind while reading them. First, a call type is an initial classification: it describes the report, not the verified outcome. An "unknown trouble" can turn out to be nothing; a "fire" can be burnt toast. Second, most dispatched calls are not crimes — medical responses, alarms, hazards, and wellbeing checks make up a large share of every city's volume. For the fuller picture, read dispatch data vs. crime statistics.
Every category with at least 20 calls across covered cities in August 2026 is listed — the most common get full explanations, the rest appear in the reference list at the end. Closely related labels from different cities (say, "Accident" and "Major Accident") can describe the same kind of incident filed under each agency's own system.
Other Call
The agency's catch-all for calls that don't fit any of its named categories. In feeds that use it heavily, it is often the single largest label. August 2026, all covered cities: 6,538 calls.
Major Disturbance (Violence)
A disturbance reported as involving violence or the immediate threat of it — one of the higher-priority disturbance labels. August 2026, all covered cities: 5,276 calls.
Medical
Calls dispatched for medical emergencies — collapses, breathing difficulty, injuries, and similar. Fire crews are often dispatched alongside paramedics, which is why medical calls appear in fire-service feeds. This is typically the single largest category in any city. August 2026, all covered cities: 5,100 calls.
Unknown Trouble
The caller could not say what was happening, or the call was cut off — police are dispatched to verify. The final outcome is frequently minor, but the initial uncertainty makes these calls hard to triage. August 2026, all covered cities: 1,723 calls.
Burglary Alarm
A burglar/intrusion alarm activation. Like fire alarms, the large majority are false activations, but each gets a response. August 2026, all covered cities: 1,687 calls.
Suspicious Person
A report of a person the caller found suspicious. Highly subjective by nature; most are resolved without incident. August 2026, all covered cities: 1,621 calls.
Traffic Injury
A traffic collision reported with injuries, from the police feed. The same physical collision can also appear in the fire feed (see Vehicle Injury) because both services attend. August 2026, all covered cities: 1,522 calls.
Passing Call (Radio Check)
An officer-initiated radio log — a patrol status entry rather than a public emergency call. High counts here reflect patrol activity, not incidents. August 2026, all covered cities: 1,248 calls.
Assault
A reported assault, in progress or recently occurred. August 2026, all covered cities: 1,159 calls.
Major Accident
A traffic collision reported with injuries or major blockage. August 2026, all covered cities: 1,103 calls.
Disorderlies
Disturbance complaints — noise, unruly groups, disorderly behaviour in public or at an address. Concentrated where nightlife and foot traffic concentrate. August 2026, all covered cities: 1,047 calls.
Building Alarm
An automatic fire or building alarm activated and a crew was dispatched to check it. The large majority of alarm activations turn out to be false or minor, but each one still generates a response. August 2026, all covered cities: 1,010 calls.
Disturbance
A general disturbance call — conflict, commotion, or unwanted behaviour reported at a location. August 2026, all covered cities: 975 calls.
Accident
A reported traffic collision, severity as initially unknown or unstated. August 2026, all covered cities: 948 calls.
Traffic Stop
An officer-initiated vehicle stop logged through dispatch — proactive policing activity, not a public call. August 2026, all covered cities: 808 calls.
Business Alarm
An intrusion alarm at a commercial premises. August 2026, all covered cities: 789 calls.
Crisis Intervention
A call involving a person in apparent mental-health crisis, dispatched for a crisis response. August 2026, all covered cities: 683 calls.
Loud Music Disturbance
A noise complaint about loud music, routed through police dispatch. August 2026, all covered cities: 682 calls.
911 Silent Or Unknown Call
A 911 line opened with no one speaking — dispatched to verify, as policy requires treating silence as potential distress. August 2026, all covered cities: 644 calls.
Advised Incident
An informational report logged for awareness, generally without an emergency response. August 2026, all covered cities: 621 calls.
Traffic Problem
A reported road problem — stalled vehicles, signal issues, obstructions. August 2026, all covered cities: 612 calls.
Minor Accident
A collision without reported injuries — property damage and information exchange. August 2026, all covered cities: 537 calls.
Theft
A reported theft without force — shoplifting, theft from vehicles, stolen property reports. August 2026, all covered cities: 520 calls.
Fire
A reported fire — structure, vehicle, or outdoor. Initial reports range from confirmed working fires to smoke that turns out to be cooking or steam. August 2026, all covered cities: 509 calls.
Arrest
A custody or arrest-related event logged through dispatch — often officer-initiated rather than a public call. August 2026, all covered cities: 474 calls.
Fight
A reported physical fight in progress. August 2026, all covered cities: 469 calls.
Vehicle Injury
A vehicle collision with reported injuries, dispatched to fire crews for extrication, hazard control, and first response. Overlaps with the police-side Traffic Injury category for the same incidents. August 2026, all covered cities: 452 calls.
Directed Patrol
Officer-initiated patrol of a specific area, logged through dispatch — proactive activity, not a public call. August 2026, all covered cities: 450 calls.
Unknown Problem
The caller could not say what was happening — dispatched to verify. Counterpart to "Unknown Trouble" in other feeds. August 2026, all covered cities: 425 calls.
Dispute
An argument or conflict — between neighbours, in a household, at a business — where someone asked for police presence. Most are resolved without further action. August 2026, all covered cities: 418 calls.
Hazard
A safety hazard needing attention: wires down, debris on a road, spills, unstable structures. Often weather-driven. August 2026, all covered cities: 392 calls.
Bylaw
A municipal bylaw complaint routed through police dispatch — noise, parking, property standards. August 2026, all covered cities: 391 calls.
Random Gun Fire
A report of gunshots heard without a specific target or victim identified. Initial reports are frequently unconfirmed (fireworks, backfires). August 2026, all covered cities: 387 calls.
Robbery
A reported theft involving force or the threat of force. Rarer than theft, and dispatched at higher priority. August 2026, all covered cities: 380 calls.
Abandoned Property
Reported abandoned vehicles or property requiring follow-up. August 2026, all covered cities: 365 calls.
Freeway Blockage
A blocked freeway lane — debris, stalls, or collision aftermath. August 2026, all covered cities: 350 calls.
Impaired Driver
A report of suspected impaired driving, usually called in by other road users. August 2026, all covered cities: 328 calls.
Hangup Call
A 911 call that disconnected before details were given — dispatched to verify. Most turn out to be accidental dials. August 2026, all covered cities: 321 calls.
Major Disturbance (Ambulance)
A disturbance where medical response was requested alongside police. August 2026, all covered cities: 309 calls.
Fight Or Dispute (No Weapons)
A fight or heated dispute reported without weapons involved. August 2026, all covered cities: 305 calls.
Major Accident (Freeway)
A major collision on a freeway or highway. August 2026, all covered cities: 305 calls.
Burglary
A reported break-in, in progress or discovered after the fact. August 2026, all covered cities: 302 calls.
Residential Alarm
An intrusion alarm at a residence. August 2026, all covered cities: 300 calls.
Disturbance (Emergency)
A disturbance dispatched at emergency priority based on what the caller described. August 2026, all covered cities: 289 calls.
Police Requested By Fire Department
Fire crews on scene requested police attendance — scene control, traffic, or safety. August 2026, all covered cities: 281 calls.
Shooting
A reported shooting or sound of gunshots. Rare relative to overall volume and dispatched at the highest priority; initial reports are sometimes unfounded (fireworks, vehicle backfire). August 2026, all covered cities: 275 calls.
Break & Enter
A reported break-in at a residence or business, in progress or discovered after the fact. August 2026, all covered cities: 273 calls.
Traffic Accident
A reported traffic collision, severity as initially unknown or unstated. August 2026, all covered cities: 262 calls.
Hit And Run
A collision where a driver left the scene. August 2026, all covered cities: 259 calls.
Domestic Violence Assault & Battery (In Progress / Just Happened)
A reported domestic-violence assault, in progress or just occurred, as categorized by the publishing agency's feed. August 2026, all covered cities: 245 calls.
Prowler
A report of someone lurking around a property. August 2026, all covered cities: 241 calls.
Street Blockage
A blocked street — debris, stalls, or obstructions. August 2026, all covered cities: 224 calls.
Weapon Threat
A threat involving a weapon reported — dispatched at high priority; frequently unconfirmed on arrival. August 2026, all covered cities: 210 calls.
Check On Well-Being
A request to check on someone's welfare — a relative who cannot be reached, a person in apparent distress. August 2026, all covered cities: 209 calls.
Crisis Intervention (With Ambulance)
A mental-health crisis call with medical response dispatched alongside. August 2026, all covered cities: 206 calls.
Burglary Of Residence
A reported residential break-in. August 2026, all covered cities: 204 calls.
911 Hang Up
A 911 call that disconnected before details were given — dispatched to verify. Most turn out to be accidental dials. August 2026, all covered cities: 192 calls.
Minor Disturbance
A lower-priority disturbance — arguments, unwanted persons, minor conflicts. August 2026, all covered cities: 186 calls.
Assault & Battery (In Progress / Just Happened)
A reported assault in progress or just occurred. August 2026, all covered cities: 184 calls.
Disturbance / Armed Encounter On Foot
A disturbance reported as possibly involving an armed person on foot — dispatched at high priority; frequently unconfirmed. August 2026, all covered cities: 174 calls.
Audible Burglar Alarm
A burglar alarm sounding audibly at the scene. August 2026, all covered cities: 168 calls.
Burg Res In Progress
A residential break-in reported as happening right now — dispatched at high priority. August 2026, all covered cities: 168 calls.
Felonious Assault (In Progress)
A reported serious (felony-level) assault in progress. August 2026, all covered cities: 165 calls.
Parking Violation
A parking complaint dispatched for enforcement. August 2026, all covered cities: 151 calls.
Assist
A general assistance call — one agency or member of the public assisting another. August 2026, all covered cities: 141 calls.
Check Call
A routine check or follow-up logged through dispatch. August 2026, all covered cities: 139 calls.
Rescue - Elevator
Persons stuck in an elevator, attended by fire crews. August 2026, all covered cities: 138 calls.
Missing Person
A missing or overdue person report. Volume varies with proximity to care facilities, campuses, and transit hubs. August 2026, all covered cities: 127 calls.
Wires Down
Downed power or utility lines — attended as a hazard, often alongside the utility. August 2026, all covered cities: 123 calls.
Investigate Person
A request to check on or investigate a person's behaviour or circumstances. August 2026, all covered cities: 123 calls.
Burglary At Occupied Residence (In Progress)
A break-in reported at an occupied home, in progress — among the highest-priority property calls. August 2026, all covered cities: 119 calls.
Noise Complaint
A noise complaint routed through police dispatch. August 2026, all covered cities: 80 calls.
Person With A Gun
A report of a person seen with a firearm. Dispatched at the highest priority; initial reports are frequently unconfirmed. August 2026, all covered cities: 67 calls.
Mischief
Reported property damage or vandalism. August 2026, all covered cities: 56 calls.
Vehicle Fire
A reported vehicle fire. August 2026, all covered cities: 44 calls.
Person With A Knife
A report of a person seen with a knife or edged weapon. Dispatched at high priority; often resolved without injury. August 2026, all covered cities: 39 calls.
Rescue
A rescue call — persons trapped in elevators or vehicles, water and ice incidents, and similar technical responses. August 2026, all covered cities: 23 calls.
Stabbing
A reported stabbing or edged-weapon injury. Rare and dispatched at the highest priority. August 2026, all covered cities: 22 calls.
Other reported categories
Agencies also publish labels specific to their own dispatch systems. These appear below as reported, with their August 2026 counts across covered cities.
Rarer categories
Beyond all of the above, agencies report a long tail of rarer categories. On Explore pages, any category with fewer than a handful of calls in an area is rolled into a combined total rather than itemized — partly to keep pages readable, and partly because a category with one or two calls in a small area effectively points at a single incident, which is against our aggregates-only policy.