Belmont PD Launches Online Citizen Reports

[Editor's note: The following was submitted by the Belmont Police Department.]

As part of its ongoing effort to better connect with the community, the Belmont Police Department has launched an online citizen reporting system that the public can use to file reports on specific crimes and incidents. The system, provided by Coplogic of San Ramon, is already in use by several other San Mateo County law enforcement agencies.

The reports that can now be filed online are: Lost Property, Theft, Vandalism, and Identity Theft, where there is no suspect information. In addition to a written narrative, persons filing reports can also submit photos with their report (damage, stolen items, etc…).

“Primarily, these are the types of reports where the victim needs a report number and the traditional methods of having an officer meet with the victim in the field or at the Police Department aren’t convenient,” said Police Chief Dan DeSmidt. 

“The online system allows a person to file a report from any computer and get the information to us quicker and easier than if they had to wait for an officer to respond,”  Chief DeSmidt added.

Citizens are able to report a crime or incident by going to the police department page on the City of Belmont website www.belmont.gov and clicking on the “File Police Report” icon. 

The system is user friendly, so even the most novice computer user can navigate the system with ease.  After the repot is reviewed and approval by a police supervisor, a copy will be sent to the person who filed it by e-mail as a PDF document. 

Chief DeSmidt concluded by explaining, “We want the public to know that online reporting is offered as an option for them. We will always send an officer out to take a report if the person requests it. But, with people doing more personal business online, making this available just seemed natural.”    

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