Frequently Asked Questions

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911 Communications

What will I be asked when I call 9-1-1?

Attempt to stay calm when you are talking to 9-1-1 dispatchers. Take a deep breath. Dispatchers will verify your address and phone number. Listen to and answer each question. Do not hang up after dialing 9-1-1 until the dispatchers tell you to do so (even if you did not mean to dial 9-1-1).

When you report an emergency, the dispatcher will ask you at least five basic questions:

Where is this happening?
What is happening?
When did this happen?
Who is involved?
How can we help you?

What information do I need to give a good description when calling 9-1-1?

In many 9-1-1 emergencies, dispatchers will ask you to describe the people and/or vehicles involved in the emergency.

When describing individuals, start at the top of the head and work your way down the individual's body.

Questions dispatchers will ask are:

What is the presumed race and sex of the subject?
What was the presumed height and weight of the subject?
What is the presumed hair color?
What was the subject(s) wearing, (Start from top of head and go down the body)?
Did the subject(s) have a mustache, beard, accent, limp, glasses, or anything unusual that might make the subject(s) stand out? Were weapons seen?

When describing a vehicle the dispatcher will ask for the following information:

Color of the vehicle
Year of the vehicle
Make of the vehicle
Body style (2 door/4 door, etc.)
Additional description (dents, lights out, direction of travel, etc.)
License plate on the vehicle

Can I Call 9-1-1 if I use a T.D.D.?

Yes, your 911 Center is equipped with T.D.D./T.T.Y. equipment. Communications professionals receive extensive training in handling emergency situations utilizing this special equipment.

Can someone call 9-1-1 who does not speak English?

Yes, your 911 Center subscribes to a telephone translation service providing access to interpreters who speak more than 140 languages and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency communication services with non-English speaking callers.

Jail

Where can I find a list of current inmates?

Please visit the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's website for a list of inmates.

How do I send mail to an inmate?

Please address mail as follows:

[Inmate Name>
Pottawattamie County Jail
1400 Big Lake Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501

How do I visit/contact an inmate?

Family and friends may visit by setting up an account for visitation, email, and text through the Inmate Canteen website.

Incoming calls or messages are not accepted for inmates.

To leave money for an inmate, you can deposit cash in the lobby kiosk for no charge. Deposits made with credit/debit cards at the lobby kiosk or online through the Inmate Canteen website will have fees applied.

What are visitation hours and rules?

Lobby Visitation Times:

Monday-Friday | 8:00 am - 11:40 am
Monday-Thursday | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Visitation Dress Code

Visit the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's website for dress code information.

Visitation With Minors

The child’s birth certificate must be presented by a parent or legal guardian every time the child visits
No more than two approved visitors can visit at the same time
Children are not to be left unattended
To visit with more than one child, another adult must be present to supervise the child not currently visiting

How do I make arrangements to pay for room and board?

Please contact (712) 890-2211.

Other Questions

How is a Sheriff's (foreclosure) sale conducted?

Sales are held as a public auction. Bidders must pre-register, and all registration must be done by 10:00 am. The judgment holder will provide the Sheriff's office a starting bid, which will be announced at the time of the sale. Interested parties will then bid against each other. The winning bidder will then have two hours from the close of the sale to bring in a cashier’s check for the amount of his/her highest bid.

For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.

Is there anything special that I should be aware of before I bid at a Sheriff's (foreclosure) sale?

All properties are sold as-is, and are buyer beware. It is the responsibility of the bidder to do any and all necessary research before bidding on a property. The Sheriff's office is not responsible for a bidder’s lack of knowledge in any area, and will not refund the purchase price once payment is made.

Bids made at a Sheriff’s sale are considered a legal obligation to pay. If payment is not made, the bidder may face legal action (Iowa Code 626.85), and may be prohibited from bidding at future sales (Iowa Code 626.80).

For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.

What if I have other questions related to Sheriff's (foreclosure) sales?

There is more information regarding Sheriff's sales on the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office website. That information is a general overview, and is not intended to provide answers to every possible question, or to be a substitute for legal advice, which the Sheriff's office cannot provide. Any legal questions should be referred to an attorney of your choosing.

For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.

When and where are Sheriff's (foreclosure) Sales conducted?

All sales are conducted at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, located at 1400 Big Lake Road, in Council Bluffs. Sales start at 10:00 am on the date of sale. The Sheriff’s Office only conducts sales on Fridays, barring unforeseen circumstances.

For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.

Where do I find a list of properties going up for sale?

All Notices of Sheriff’s Levy and Sale are published in the Daily Nonpareil. Properties on the east half of the county are also published in the Avoca Journal Herald. Publications will be on the Fridays that are four and five weeks before the originally scheduled sale date.

Notices of Sheriff’s Levy and Sale are posted in four locations in Council Bluffs: Pottawattamie County Courthouse (227 S. 6th St.), Council Bluffs City Hall (209 Pearl St.), Council Bluffs Public Library (400 Willow Ave.), and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office (1400 Big Lake Road).

Sales may be postponed or cancelled at any time. Postponements and cancellations will be announced on the scheduled day of sale. The most up to date information on the status of properties can be found here. Click on the details link to check on the status.

For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.