Police say, as they told Khresta Badgero, that a report about a needle just doesn't take priority when they're busy responding to things such as assaults and other disturbances. But for parents worried about their kids picking up a needle and contracting HIV or hepatitis, it's a big concern.

A KY3 reporter made several phone calls and now officials have adopted a new procedure. It includes whom people should call for help if they find needles in a public place in Greene County.

To see the recommendations for how to dispose of sharps, click here.

"I turned, heading north on Grant, and I couldn't believe it. I had to look twice. And there were 10 or 12 needles right there on the side of the street," said Badgero.

She was already concerned for the safety of her children and others, and she became more concerned when she couldn't get police to help.

"They really didn't want anything to do with it," Badgero said.

It turns out the Springfield-Greene County Health Department will pick up needles.

"It's not something the Health Department deals with on a regular basis. We do about five to 10 calls a year," said Health Department spokeswoman Jaci McReynolds.

Calltakers at the city-county 911 center get more calls than that, however.

"Oh, yeah. It will be many more than that," said J.R. Webb of Springfield-Greene County 911. " We generally will refer or ask them to safely dispose of them, following basically the procedures in the little guidebook from the Public Works Department. If they want an officer to respond, we'll place that call for service."

But, as in Badgero's case, police couldn't help, and the Health Department wasn't open. Now there is a brand new procedure.

"We received an e-mail from the Health Department (Monday) morning, advising that the Health Department staff will assist with this if necessary," Webb said.

The Health Department is only open Monday through Friday during business hours so, at other times, folks would have to call 911, where a dispatcher would then contact the Health Department's staff on call.

"What we encourage the public to do, if they can dispose of the needle safely, is to go ahead and do that themselves," McReynolds said.

That means putting on latex gloves and using a sharps container, or something like a laundry detergent jug, and without, replacing the needle's cap, drop the needle in sharp end first. Before putting the container in the trash, seal the lid with duct tape.

"If they don't feel like that can be done, then they can call us, and we will send someone out to pick the needles up," McReynolds said.

The number to call at the Health Department is (417) 864-1666. When the Health Department is not open, folks should call 911. If you find any needles on your private property, officials say you should dispose of them yourself.