If I didn't activate the Find my iPhone, will it still be able to track it?

Lost my iphone and I didn't know about the Find my iPhone thing. I used my mom's iphone to track the phone with this app but it says offline. Is is offline because the phone is turned off or because the Find my iPhone is not activated? Should I report this to the police? Will they be helpful because it was stolen in Philly but I live in Jersey. I just got the phone not even a month ago. Are there any other solution to find a stolen phone?