Type and click, online crime reporting

SNOHOMISH COUNTY – Type and click. That’s how easy it is to submit an online crime report thanks to a new tool being used by two of Snohomish County’s largest law enforcement agencies. In September, the Everett Police Department and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the county’s primary emergency dispatch agency, SNOPAC, launched the new online crime reporting site www.mycrimereport.us.
“It’s important to report all crimes, even minor ones, but we know it can sometimes be time-consuming,” said Sheriff Ty Trenary. “The online tool is a faster way for residents to submit their report and get on with their lives.”
The online crime reporting tool -- which can be accessed via mobile device -- may be especially useful for victims who need a crime report number for insurance purposes but don’t want to wait for an officer or deputy to respond. The online tool generates a crime report number and sends that number to the victim’s e-mail, typically within 72 business hours. All reports are reviewed by law enforcement personnel.
Another benefit to the online crime report is that it reduces the need for law enforcement to follow-up on every call in person, meaning officers and deputies can spend more time on proactive patrol. However, crime victims can still request an in-person follow-up, and anyone with questions about a crime and how to report it should still call 911.
“The online reporting program will free up officers and deputies to do patrol work, rather than paperwork,” said Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman.
While the online tool is valuable for reporting minor crimes, there are some reports that must be made by calling 911. Types of crimes that cannot be reported online include felonies, crimes where the suspect is known, where the address of the incident is unknown and/or where the value of something stolen or damaged exceeds $5,000. The minimum requirements for filing a report online are that the reporting party has an e-mail address and that they know the location where the incident occurred.
Examples of crimes recently reported online include:
• Vandalism - Graffiti on the side of a homeowner’s garage
• Theft - A stolen cell phone
• Theft - A bike stolen from school
• Vehicle damage, prowl - A “smash and grab” of a GPS device from a vehicle