Photo by Michael Förtsch via Unsplash.
Dallas Police Department is changing the way non-emergency crimes are reported.
Starting July 3, Dallas residents will be required to report non-emergency crimes online instead of by phone.
The Dallas Police Department hopes that shifting non-emergency reports to the online portal will allow more officers to respond to critical emergencies more efficiently.
In a video posted to the DPD Facebook, Chief of Police Eddie Garcia explained the change and process of reporting.
“I want to ensure you, online reporting in no way diminishes the level of service or our commitment to public safety,” Garcia said.
The online reporting system has been operational for three years. By using the established online system, Dallas residents and visitors will be able to report crimes such as:
- Minor accidents with no injuries and drivable vehicles
- Property damage under $2,500
- Property stolen under $2,500
- Theft of services under $2,500
- Shoplifting under $2,500
- Burglary of a motor vehicle when the suspect is no longer at the scene
- Credit or debit card fraud when the card is used without permission in the City of Dallas
- Harassing phone calls or texts that are not related to family violence
- Child custody when children were not exchanged at court-ordered time
- Lost property
- Reckless damage
- Graffiti
- Burglary of a vending machine, including food and movie rental machines
The online reporting service can be accessed by phone, computer, tablet and with kiosks available in substations and at City Hall.
“As your chief, I want to ensure you that the investigative process for online reporting is the same as if an officer took the report at the incident’s scene,” Garcia said. “These changes will further ensure we are there when you need us most.”
Crimes that require immediate, critical response times should still be reported with 911 call-ins. Crimes with known suspects need to be called in as well.
More information and an instructional video on reporting crimes can be found here.
