Even though no one wants to talk about it, crime happens every day in the United States. The automatic reaction for many people is to call the police when a crime happens. However, sometimes a higher power should also be called up. So, when should someone contact the government about a crime? How can one contact the government? Keep reading to find out!

When to Contact the Government About Crime

Whenever someone witnesses a crime or is a victim of crime, his or her first reaction should always be to contact the police. However, after the crime has been initially reported, it is sometimes important to contact a government agency. Below is a short list of cases in which a person should contact a member of the government.

• Anti-trust violations
• Arson or bomb threats
• Asset forfeiture
• Domestic violence
• Fraud (Business, government, internet, medicare, etc.)
• Identity theft
• Illegal Immigration
• Incidents related to Homeland Security
• Religious discrimination
• Terrorism

How to Contact the Government

Now that we’ve looked at when to contact the government, let’s take a closer look at how to contact the government. To sum it up quickly, how you can contact the government all depends on which part of the government a person wants to contact.

For most issues (that do not require immediate action or reply), a person can call or email a government member. However, if someone does want a reply as soon as possible, it’s best to call. Even if the government member a person is trying to reach does not answer right away, the government member is still likely to receive the message and get back to the person when they can.

Remember, only contact the government if it is necessary! For a complete list on how to contact specific organizations, offices, or members of government, check out this official United State’s government webpage.