WASHINGTON -- District residents only need to know two phone numbers to get in touch with local government following the launch of a new 311 phone number for government services on Tuesday.

D.C. residents can now call 311, which replaces 727-1000, to reach the MayorÂ’s Citywide Call Center. They can get in touch with government agencies like the Department of Motor Vehicles and request services like trash pickup or smoke detector installation.

D.C. residents should call 911 for emergencies requiring police and fire responders.

The 311 number was previously used for police non-emergencies.

Mayor Adrian Fenty announced the launch of the new service during a tour of the Mayor's Citywide Call Center with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who introduced the 311 number in San Francisco.

The switch follows the implementation of similar systems in major cities such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Miami.

News4's Tom Sherwood reported on examples of when residents should call 311 and when they should call 911.

• If someone is parked in front of a driveway, call 311 to have the Department of Public Works tow the vehicle.
• If a neighbor is making too much noise, call 911 to have a police officer respond.
• If a street is missing a stop sign, call 311 to have it replaced.
• To request information on smoke alarms, call 311.
• But if a smoke alarm goes off, call 911.

For more information, visit the District's Web site explaining the new system.