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 June 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 6,863 calls.
Major Disturbance (Violence)
A disturbance reported as involving violence or the immediate threat of it — one of the higher-priority disturbance labels. June 2026, all covered cities: 5,462 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 4,991 calls.
Burglary Alarm
A burglar/intrusion alarm activation. Like fire alarms, the large majority are false activations, but each gets a response. June 2026, all covered cities: 1,731 calls.
Suspicious Person
A report of a person the caller found suspicious. Highly subjective by nature; most are resolved without incident. June 2026, all covered cities: 1,605 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 1,543 calls.
Disturbance
A general disturbance call — conflict, commotion, or unwanted behaviour reported at a location. June 2026, all covered cities: 1,404 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 1,383 calls.
Assault
A reported assault, in progress or recently occurred. June 2026, all covered cities: 1,184 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 1,164 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 1,110 calls.
Major Accident
A traffic collision reported with injuries or major blockage. June 2026, all covered cities: 1,110 calls.
Accident
A reported traffic collision, severity as initially unknown or unstated. June 2026, all covered cities: 914 calls.
Business Alarm
An intrusion alarm at a commercial premises. June 2026, all covered cities: 873 calls.
Disorderlies
Disturbance complaints — noise, unruly groups, disorderly behaviour in public or at an address. Concentrated where nightlife and foot traffic concentrate. June 2026, all covered cities: 860 calls.
Loud Music Disturbance
A noise complaint about loud music, routed through police dispatch. June 2026, all covered cities: 752 calls.
Crisis Intervention
A call involving a person in apparent mental-health crisis, dispatched for a crisis response. June 2026, all covered cities: 682 calls.
Traffic Stop
An officer-initiated vehicle stop logged through dispatch — proactive policing activity, not a public call. June 2026, all covered cities: 626 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 573 calls.
Minor Accident
A collision without reported injuries — property damage and information exchange. June 2026, all covered cities: 556 calls.
Unknown Problem
The caller could not say what was happening — dispatched to verify. Counterpart to "Unknown Trouble" in other feeds. June 2026, all covered cities: 544 calls.
Traffic Problem
A reported road problem — stalled vehicles, signal issues, obstructions. June 2026, all covered cities: 529 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 523 calls.
Theft
A reported theft without force — shoplifting, theft from vehicles, stolen property reports. June 2026, all covered cities: 486 calls.
Random Gun Fire
A report of gunshots heard without a specific target or victim identified. Initial reports are frequently unconfirmed (fireworks, backfires). June 2026, all covered cities: 484 calls.
Hangup Call
A 911 call that disconnected before details were given — dispatched to verify. Most turn out to be accidental dials. June 2026, all covered cities: 444 calls.
Arrest
A custody or arrest-related event logged through dispatch — often officer-initiated rather than a public call. June 2026, all covered cities: 442 calls.
Fight
A reported physical fight in progress. June 2026, all covered cities: 419 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 410 calls.
Abandoned Property
Reported abandoned vehicles or property requiring follow-up. June 2026, all covered cities: 380 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 362 calls.
Hazard
A safety hazard needing attention: wires down, debris on a road, spills, unstable structures. Often weather-driven. June 2026, all covered cities: 358 calls.
Fight Or Dispute (No Weapons)
A fight or heated dispute reported without weapons involved. June 2026, all covered cities: 351 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). June 2026, all covered cities: 341 calls.
Disturbance (Emergency)
A disturbance dispatched at emergency priority based on what the caller described. June 2026, all covered cities: 330 calls.
Major Disturbance (Ambulance)
A disturbance where medical response was requested alongside police. June 2026, all covered cities: 322 calls.
Impaired Driver
A report of suspected impaired driving, usually called in by other road users. June 2026, all covered cities: 316 calls.
Residential Alarm
An intrusion alarm at a residence. June 2026, all covered cities: 311 calls.
Freeway Blockage
A blocked freeway lane — debris, stalls, or collision aftermath. June 2026, all covered cities: 303 calls.
Assault & Battery (In Progress / Just Happened)
A reported assault in progress or just occurred. June 2026, all covered cities: 301 calls.
Bylaw
A municipal bylaw complaint routed through police dispatch — noise, parking, property standards. June 2026, all covered cities: 296 calls.
Traffic Accident
A reported traffic collision, severity as initially unknown or unstated. June 2026, all covered cities: 289 calls.
Major Accident (Freeway)
A major collision on a freeway or highway. June 2026, all covered cities: 283 calls.
Burglary
A reported break-in, in progress or discovered after the fact. June 2026, all covered cities: 279 calls.
Police Requested By Fire Department
Fire crews on scene requested police attendance — scene control, traffic, or safety. June 2026, all covered cities: 278 calls.
Street Blockage
A blocked street — debris, stalls, or obstructions. June 2026, all covered cities: 276 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 264 calls.
Break & Enter
A reported break-in at a residence or business, in progress or discovered after the fact. June 2026, all covered cities: 260 calls.
Robbery
A reported theft involving force or the threat of force. Rarer than theft, and dispatched at higher priority. June 2026, all covered cities: 245 calls.
Advised Incident
An informational report logged for awareness, generally without an emergency response. June 2026, all covered cities: 242 calls.
Parking Violation
A parking complaint dispatched for enforcement. June 2026, all covered cities: 237 calls.
Check On Well-Being
A request to check on someone's welfare — a relative who cannot be reached, a person in apparent distress. June 2026, all covered cities: 235 calls.
Prowler
A report of someone lurking around a property. June 2026, all covered cities: 233 calls.
Felonious Assault (In Progress)
A reported serious (felony-level) assault in progress. June 2026, all covered cities: 229 calls.
Burglary Of Residence
A reported residential break-in. June 2026, all covered cities: 228 calls.
Weapon Threat
A threat involving a weapon reported — dispatched at high priority; frequently unconfirmed on arrival. June 2026, all covered cities: 225 calls.
Hit And Run
A collision where a driver left the scene. June 2026, all covered cities: 207 calls.
Directed Patrol
Officer-initiated patrol of a specific area, logged through dispatch — proactive activity, not a public call. June 2026, all covered cities: 207 calls.
Investigate Person
A request to check on or investigate a person's behaviour or circumstances. June 2026, all covered cities: 206 calls.
Burg Res In Progress
A residential break-in reported as happening right now — dispatched at high priority. June 2026, all covered cities: 199 calls.
Crisis Intervention (With Ambulance)
A mental-health crisis call with medical response dispatched alongside. June 2026, all covered cities: 199 calls.
Minor Disturbance
A lower-priority disturbance — arguments, unwanted persons, minor conflicts. June 2026, all covered cities: 197 calls.
Audible Burglar Alarm
A burglar alarm sounding audibly at the scene. June 2026, all covered cities: 194 calls.
Disturbance / Armed Encounter On Foot
A disturbance reported as possibly involving an armed person on foot — dispatched at high priority; frequently unconfirmed. June 2026, all covered cities: 189 calls.
Wires Down
Downed power or utility lines — attended as a hazard, often alongside the utility. June 2026, all covered cities: 172 calls.
911 Hang Up
A 911 call that disconnected before details were given — dispatched to verify. Most turn out to be accidental dials. June 2026, all covered cities: 163 calls.
Burglary At Occupied Residence (In Progress)
A break-in reported at an occupied home, in progress — among the highest-priority property calls. June 2026, all covered cities: 145 calls.
Rescue - Elevator
Persons stuck in an elevator, attended by fire crews. June 2026, all covered cities: 144 calls.
Assist
A general assistance call — one agency or member of the public assisting another. June 2026, all covered cities: 136 calls.
Check Call
A routine check or follow-up logged through dispatch. June 2026, all covered cities: 135 calls.
Missing Person
A missing or overdue person report. Volume varies with proximity to care facilities, campuses, and transit hubs. June 2026, all covered cities: 104 calls.
Person With A Gun
A report of a person seen with a firearm. Dispatched at the highest priority; initial reports are frequently unconfirmed. June 2026, all covered cities: 84 calls.
Noise Complaint
A noise complaint routed through police dispatch. June 2026, all covered cities: 67 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. June 2026, all covered cities: 62 calls.
Vehicle Fire
A reported vehicle fire. June 2026, all covered cities: 45 calls.
Mischief
Reported property damage or vandalism. June 2026, all covered cities: 33 calls.
Rescue
A rescue call — persons trapped in elevators or vehicles, water and ice incidents, and similar technical responses. June 2026, all covered cities: 27 calls.
Stabbing
A reported stabbing or edged-weapon injury. Rare and dispatched at the highest priority. June 2026, all covered cities: 24 calls.
Alarm Highrise Residential
An automatic alarm in a residential highrise. Highrise alarms get a larger initial response because of building size and evacuation complexity, not because the risk is confirmed. June 2026, all covered cities: 21 calls.
Other reported categories
Agencies also publish labels specific to their own dispatch systems. These appear below as reported, with their June 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.