PORT ANGELES — Residents of Port Angeles can now report property crimes on the Internet.
The Port Angeles Police Department has spent the last 18 months working on a system that will accept reports of non-emergency crimes such as burglary, theft, lost property, vandalism or identity theft, said Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith.
It became operative last week.
“We’re the first community on the Peninsula do to do it,” Smith said.
A number of police departments in struggling economic areas have already adopted online reporting, to free up small, understaffed departments, but it is also useful for larger departments to make better use street officer’s time, he said.
Smith also said convenience of online reporting may also increase the number of under-reported crimes, such as theft from vehicles, which could help police identify patterns that may help police identify an individual or group responsible for a series of crimes.
It also speeds the process of getting a report for insurance purposes, he said.
Residents can still report crimes the traditional way, by calling the police department at 360-452-4545 or by visiting the department at 321 E. Fifth St.
The report form can be found at the Port Angeles Police website at www.cityofpa.us/policeCrimeReporting.htm.
Criteria for filling out an online police report are that:
– The incident is not an emergency.
– It occurred within the city limit of Port Angeles.
– There are no known suspects or evidence that could lead to the identification of a suspect.
— An e-mail address is available for contact with the reporting party.
A completed report receives a temporary tracking number and the system provides a chance to print a copy of the report.
All cases filed online will be reviewed, and once the report has been approved a Port Angeles Police Department case number will be assigned.
A copy of the final report will be emailed to the reporting person.
Those who report a crime can request officer contact, or officers may contact the reporting person for more information or to check for additional evidence such as footprint evidence, Smith said.
False reporting is illegal, and may be prosecuted.
“There are safeguards for false reporting,” he said.
The police department is using a reporting system from Coplogic, Inc., a software company based in San Ramon, Calif.
After researching what other agencies in the state were doing, an interdisciplinary team within the department began work on the online reporting project in earnest during 2011.
“Our department is intent on using technology to improve our efficiency and our ability to serve our community,” said Police Chief Terry Gallagher.
The computer system will free-up police officers from taking routine reports, allowing them to use their time more efficiently, putting them on the streets more, and in the office doing paperwork less, Smith said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
