Police Communications
The Communications Department provides essential service and support of the Van Alstyne Police Department, the Van Alstyne Fire Department, and Van Alstyne Emergency Medical Services. Communications is responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for service and dispatching the appropriate departments. The communications department serves as a link between the caller and the emergency responders. Van Alstyne currently serves as a secondary public service answering point (PSAP) meaning that 9-1-1 calls originate at Grayson County and are promptly transferred to the Van Alstyne 9-1-1 lines. The Van Alstyne Communications division also offers valuable support to the community for various non-emergency issues and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telecommunication Operators
The Communications Supervisor may be reached at 903-482-5251
Speak to an Officer
If you would like to speak to a police officer about a non-emergency issue, please do not hesitate to call VAPD dispatch.
Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
911 for Kids
It is very important that we teach the children of our community about 9-1-1, when to call 9-1-1, how to dial 9-1-1, and what to tell the 9-1-1 dispatcher. Below are some tips to help teach the children in your life about 9-1-1. You will also find coloring pages and activities available for you to print and share, along with information on how to tour the dispatch center and how to request a dispatcher to come to you for a 9-1-1 education class.
911 Education:
The Van Alstyne Communications Department works to provide education to the community on 911 services. Educational information is passed out each year at the National Night Out Event and available by request throughout the year. Tours for children’s organizations (i.e. boy & girl scouts) are available by appointment only. We also travel into the community occasionally to help educate the youth of our community about using 911, the reasons for calling 911, and the things that are important to know. If you would like to schedule a tour of the dispatch center or request public education for a school, organization, or an event please contact the communications supervisor at 903-482-5251.
Download and Print Coloring Pages to Help teach the young people in your life about calling 9-1-1
Download and Print Coloring Pages to Help teach the young people in your life about calling 9-1-1
Commission on State Emergency Communications
CSEC provides very useful information for 9-1-1 education. They have been kind enough to reach out to us and provide the full cell phone cell video for you to watch the children in your life. Please click here to watch the full video: Getting Help is Easy!
Teach ALL children these five review questions to ask children about the basics of calling 9-1-1:
Who can tell me WHEN you call 9-1-1?
- In an emergency
- When you need help
- When you need the police, fire department or an ambulance
If there were no grown-ups around and you had to call 9-1-1, who can tell me HOW you would do it?
- Stay calm
- Listen for dial tone
- Push “9”, then “1”, then “1” again (push button phone) Press “Send” button (cellular phone)
- Remember, teach your children how to use your cell phone in an emergency – children need to be shown how to make an emergency call on a password protected cell phone.
Who can tell me WHAT to say when the 9-1-1 call taker answers?
- Tell where help is needed.
- Tell what’s wrong (what the emergency is)
- Tell what help you need (police, fire, ambulance)
- Give your name, address, and phone number
What else is important to remember when you call 9-1-1?
- Speak loudly and clearly Don’t nod your head – say “yes” and “no” out loud
- Answer all questions
- Don’t hang up until the dispatcher tells you to
Who can tell me when you should NOT call 9-1-1?
- When there is no emergency
- For animals
- As a game or prank
- For a joke
- To practice
