911 Fix Means Bowie Government Telephone Numbers Changing

Be careful when you’re dialing city government offices next week: Bowie is changing some telephone numbers, including all of the numbers at the police department.

Beginning Oct. 21, all city government telephone numbers that begin with 301-575-xxxx will be changing to 240-544-xxxx.

The change affects all of the police department numbers and some numbers in every other city department.

See the new numbers here.

Most City telephone lines begin with 301-809-and then are followed by a four digit extension. They are not affected by this change. Only numbers that begin with 301-575 will change.

The change will improve information relayed to 911, according to a city release. The city recently learned that 911 calls in the city beginning with 301-575-xxxx may not display complete and accurate call information at the Prince George’s County 911 Center.

“The decision to make this change was not made lightly,” said City Manager David Deutsch. “We realize that changing telephone numbers can be confusing and disruptive to the public, especially when it comes to contact information for the Police Department, but we feel that for public safety reasons, we had to make this change.”

Until Dec. 9, callers will be able to use either the old or new numbers to reach City staff. The main line to the administrative offices of the Bowie Police Department will be available on both lines for six months.

In total, over 150 phone numbers are being changed, but many of them are not numbers that are used by the public, such as lines in conference rooms, locker rooms, and storage rooms.