YPD introduces online crime reporting
Citizens can now disclose nonviolent, no-suspect crimes
Citizens can now report certain crimes through an online system rather than waiting for an officer to respond. The goal is to use technology to provide services more efficiently to the community.
The Yuma Police Department
introduced the citizens online reporting software to the City Council on Tuesday. Deputy Chief Lisa Culp and Lt. Mike Wilcher walked the council through the system, demonstrating how it works.
Online reporting can be used for incidents that are not emergency in nature, have occurred in the city limits or the victim resides in the city limits, or have no known suspects or information about the crime that can be followed up on.
The department initially identified 49 types of calls that can be filed online, however, it’s starting with the 11 call types: courtesy reports, fraud, harassing, phone calls, identity theft, lost property, shoplifting, supplemental reports, theft, theft from vehicle, vandalism of vehicle and vandalism/criminal damage. Wilcher noted that these types of incidents do not require an in-person police response. Calls without injury and no suspect information are considered low priority and tend to be pushed back and delayed.
Using the online system means no delay in reporting a crime, Culp noted. They can be filed at anytime of the day from a comfortable setting and with no stress. It allows citizens to complete these reports in their own words.
The system has secure timed-out sites, a private setting for personal information and protected data transfer.
It will help YPD provide better services to the community and “bridge the gap between law enforcement and citizens who would not normally call for a police response to their homes,” Wilcher said.
The department will also benefit by allowing offices to “work smarter with the resources we have available,” Wilcher said.
He explained that the average call length of a call is up to an hour. Reduced calls for service means officers can go out more and engage with the community. It will save staffing hours.
In 2018, YPD responded to 88,410 calls for service, including 2,402 for theft, 170 for taking the identity of another, 2,652 for shoplifting, 507 for lost property, 1,794 for harassment/threats, 886
for fraud, 13,772 follow-ups, and 1,412 for vandalism/ criminal damage.
If this program had been in place in 2018, the department would have been able to redirect more than 23,000 hours of manpower. “These hours could be used for community policing projects, civic events and increased proactivity and productivity,” Wilcher noted.
The system is also expected to help the department link crimes and root out crime patterns in neighborhoods.
Although only 11 types of incidents can now be reported online, the department will eventually expand the list. As officers and citizens get used to using the system, more crime types will be added.
Some examples for future reports that will be allowed to be reported online include non-injury accidents, extra patrol requests, probation violation tips, school service related calls, on-going traffic complaints, crime tips, code enforcement violations, public works related issues and “see something, say something” suspicious circumstances.
However, the department warns against false reporting, noting that it is a crime.
Culp pointed out that filing an online report takes less time than waiting for an officer to respond. All citizens need is internet access. If someone doesn’t have internet access or a computer, she noted that the public libraries have computers and internet access and a kiosk is available at the police station.
Citizens will be given a tracking number, and they can print out the report. Once the information is submitted, it will be reviewed, and once approved, it becomes a permanent document. The reports will be reviewed daily.
If someone needs to add more information, the person can use the tracking number to fill out a supplemental report. Citizens will also be able to request a copy of the official police report.
If an officer follows up, for example, to take a photo or to take video into evidence, that action will be added as a supplemental report.
The system is already live at https://bit.ly/2CVHO4u.