Local Neighborhood Services
← Back to Resource DirectoryAddress Confidentiality Program
The Florida Address Confidentiality Program helps protect the location of individuals who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, human trafficking, or who fear for their safety. The program provides a substitute mailing address that can be used for public records, helping participants keep their residential address confidential while maintaining access to important services and communications.
Phone: 1-866-966-7226
Florida Attorney General Website
Animal Cruelty & Abuse
Primary channels for reporting animal neglect, abuse, or abandoned pets. For active cruelty in progress or life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately.
Broward County:
Call: 954-831-4000
After-Hours: 954-764-4357
Miami-Dade County:
Call: 305-468-5900
After-Hours: 305-743-7433
Online: 311 Direct
Note: Cities may use their own local animal control units. If the abuse is regarding wildlife, please contact the Wildlife Hotline: 1-888-404-3922.
Anonymous Crime Tips
Anonymous reporting systems for information on criminal activity, missing persons, or wanted fugitives. Tips leading to an arrest or filing of charges may be eligible for cash rewards. For crimes in progress or immediate danger, call 911.
Broward County:
Phone: 954-493-8477
Submit a Tip Online
Miami-Dade County:
Phone: 305-471-8477
Submit a Tip Online
Beach Water Quality & Advisories
The Florida Department of Health monitors beach water quality across Florida by testing for bacteria and contamination and issues advisories when swimming may be unsafe. Beach safety is also affected by conditions like rip currents, surf height, and lifeguard flag warnings, with daily rip current risk updates issued by the National Weather Service.
Check Water Quality Information
Check Rip Current & Surf Conditions
Lifeguard stations use a colored flag system to indicate swimming safety conditions:
Green Flag: Low hazard, calm conditions
Yellow Flag: Moderate hazard, caution advised (currents possible)
Red Flag: High hazard, dangerous conditions (strong currents/waves)
Double Red Flag: Water closed to the public, do not enter
Broward Sheriff Dispatch
The central dispatch line for the Broward Sheriff’s Office. While individual municipalities often maintain their own local contact numbers, this county-wide line can facilitate the appropriate resources for law enforcement and emergency response.
Phone: 954-764-4357
Website: sheriff.org
Note: In any life-threatening emergency, always dial 911 immediately.
Broward Water & Wastewater
Broward Water and Wastewater Services provides drinking water treatment, wastewater collection, and sewer system maintenance for residents and businesses in Broward County. The utility is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable water delivery and proper wastewater management to protect public health and the environment. It also handles billing, service connections, repairs, and customer support related to water and sewer services.
Note: Many municipalities run their own water and sewer departments.
Phone 954-831-3250
Website: Broward.org/WaterServices
COPLINE
1-800-COPLINE is a confidential, 24 hour hotline that provides emotional support and peer counseling to active and retired law enforcement officers and their families. Staffed by trained, retired officers, the service offers a safe space to discuss stress, trauma, and personal challenges related to the demands of the profession. The hotline connects callers with understanding peers and additional resources to support mental health, resilience, and overall well being.
Phone: 1-800-267-5463
Website: copline.org
Electrical Emergencies & Downed Power Lines
Immediate emergency contacts for reporting downed power lines, sparking electrical equipment, or dangerous outages. Stay at least 30 feet away from any downed line and never touch a person or object in contact with a line.
Life-Threatening Emergency: Dial 911 immediately.
Florida Power & Light
1-800-468-8243
FPL Outage Map & Status Tracker
FBI Hate Crime Reporting
The FBI is the lead federal agency for investigating hate crimes, defined as criminal acts motivated by bias against race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity. Reporting to the FBI ensures that incidents are tracked at the federal level and helps the Bureau allocate resources to combat domestic threats. While you can submit tips directly to the FBI, they strongly advise victims to first report the incident to local law enforcement to ensure immediate safety and evidence collection.
Phone: 1-800-225-5324
Website: tips.fbi.gov
FDOT Road Rangers (State Roadside Assistance)
The Road Ranger program provides free roadside assistance to motorists on major highways across Broward and Miami-Dade counties to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion. Services include changing flat tires, jump-starting vehicles, providing emergency gasoline, making minor mechanical repairs, and removing small debris from the roadway. Rangers also assist first responders at crash scenes to help restore normal traffic flow.
Phone: Dial *347 (*FHP) from your mobile device
FDOT Program Website
Fish Kill Hotline
The Fish Kill Hotline is a reporting line for notifying the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about events where large numbers of fish are found dead or in distress in waterways. These reports help FWC investigate potential causes such as low oxygen levels, algal blooms, pollution, disease, or environmental changes. The information collected is used to monitor water quality, protect aquatic ecosystems, and guide responses to environmental health concerns across Florida’s lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.
Phone: 1-800-636-0511
Website: MyFWC.com/ReportFishKill
Florida Algal Bloom Reporting Hotline
Central reporting system for blue-green algae blooms in Florida's freshwater and estuarine systems. Managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to coordinate sampling and public health alerts.
Phone: 1-855-305-3903
Website: ReportAlgalBloom.com
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the state agency responsible for protecting Florida’s natural resources, including air, water, and land. It oversees environmental regulation and enforcement, manages state parks, and works to prevent and respond to pollution and environmental damage. FDEP also coordinates cleanup efforts, issues permits, and promotes conservation and sustainable use of Florida’s environment.
Phone: 561-681-6600
Emergency: Call 911, then DEP at 1-800-320-0519
Website: floridadep.gov
Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative
The Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative works to improve the physical and mental health of firefighters across Florida through education, resources, and prevention programs. It focuses on reducing occupational risks such as cancer exposure, injury, and behavioral health challenges while promoting safer working conditions and long term wellness. The collaborative also connects firefighters and their families with support services and advocacy initiatives to strengthen overall health and safety in the fire service.
Phone: 1-866-965-3074
Web: floridafirefightersafety.org
Peer Support Access
Florida Highway Patrol
Official law enforcement agency for Florida's state highways. Use this resource for reporting traffic crashes, drunk or aggressive drivers, stranded motorists, and roadway hazards.
Phone: Dial *347 (*FHP) from your mobile device
Note: Dial 911 for immediate life-threatening emergencies.
Florida Public Service Commission
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates investor-owned electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater utilities across the state. This agency serves as a primary resource for residents needing to resolve disputes with utility providers regarding billing inaccuracies, service quality issues, or improper service shut-offs.
Phone: 1-800-342-3552
Florida PSC Complaint Portal
Fort Lauderdale Water Trolley
LauderGO! Water Trolley is a free water transportation service in Fort Lauderdale that operates along the Intracoastal Waterway and downtown waterfront. It provides short-distance, on-demand style stops connecting key destinations such as parks, restaurants, beaches, and transit connections. The service is designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve mobility along the waterfront, and offer an easy way to navigate the city by water.
Official Website
Gas Leak Emergency Reporting
Immediate emergency contacts for reporting the smell of natural gas (rotten eggs), hissing sounds near gas lines, or damaged gas pipes. If you suspect a leak, evacuate the area immediately on foot and do not use cell phones or light switches until you are a safe distance away.
Life-Threatening Emergency: Dial 911 immediately.
TECO Peoples Gas: 1-877-832-6747
Florida Public Utilities: 1-800-427-7712
Florida City Gas: 1-888-352-5325
Note: Do not attempt to locate the leak yourself or turn off gas valves.
Maritime Emergencies & Boating Safety
Contact these resources for life-threatening distress, search and rescue, boating accidents, unsafe vessel operation, or hazardous conditions on the water.
Marine Distress (Radio):
VHF Channel 16 (international distress, safety, and calling frequency).
Boating Violations/Accidents:
Call 1-888-404-3922 to reach the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Distress Procedure: Clearly state "MAYDAY" three times, followed by your vessel name, exact location (GPS coordinates or landmarks), nature of distress, and number of people on board.
Miami-Dade Sheriff Dispatch
The central dispatch line for the Miami-Dade Police Department. While individual municipalities often maintain their own local contact numbers, this county-wide line can facilitate the appropriate resources for law enforcement and emergency response.
Phone: 305-743-7433
Website: miamidade.gov/police
Note: In any life-threatening emergency, always dial 911 immediately.
Miami-Dade Water & Sewer
Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department provides drinking water, wastewater, and sewer services for residents and businesses across the county. It manages water supply, billing and account services, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency response for issues such as water main breaks, sewer backups, and service outages. The department also oversees water quality monitoring and conservation programs to protect public health and the environment.
Note: Many municipalities run their own water and sewer departments.
Phone: 305-665-7477
Emergency: 305-274-9272
Official Website
Public Safety Support Hotline
Safe Call Now is a confidential, 24 hour helpline that provides support to law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections officers, dispatchers, and their family members who are dealing with stress, mental health challenges, or substance use concerns. Staffed by trained peer counselors with public safety backgrounds, the service offers a safe and understanding space to talk through difficult experiences and seek guidance. The hotline can also connect callers to treatment resources, crisis support, and ongoing care to help promote recovery and overall well being.
Peer Support: Staffed by former first responders and mental health professionals.
Phone: 1-206-459-3020
Website: safecallnowusa.org
Sunshine 811 (Call Before You Dig)
Florida’s free notification service to prevent damage to underground utilities. State law requires anyone digging to contact 811 at least two full business days before starting any project, including landscaping, fence installation, or construction.
Phone: Dial 811
Website: Sunshine811.com
Wait Time: You must wait 2 full business days (excluding weekends and holidays) for utilities to be marked with paint or flags before you begin digging.
Note: Private utilities (such as lines from a meter to a house, or pool heaters) are generally not marked by this service and may require a private locator.
Wildlife Alert Hotline
The Wildlife Alert Hotline is a 24 hour reporting line for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that allows the public to report wildlife violations, injured or nuisance wildlife, boating accidents, and fish and game law concerns. It also serves as a way to report emergencies involving wildlife or dangerous situations in natural areas. Calls are routed to officers who can respond, investigate, or provide guidance, helping protect Florida’s wildlife, natural resources, and public safety.
Hotline: 1-888-404-3922
Alligators: 1-866-392-4286
Text Tips: Text "FWC" to 847411
Online: MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert
Note: Always contact 911 for immediate threats.