Police Launch Online System for Obtaining Accident Reports

Clarkstown has launched its new online system for the public to obtain motor vehicle accidents reports from the police department.

While the police department's records office will still provide copies of reports for people who want to pick them up at headquarters in New City, the new system allows people involved with accidents and insurance companies to obtain reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the department's web site.

Clarkstown launched the system using a service by Police Reports.US to distribute the reports. The Clarkstown Town Board approved Police Chief Peter Noonan signing a three-year agreement with the Mooresville, N.C., company for distributing the reports.

Clarkstown averages 3,500 motor vehicle accidents a year – nearly 10 accidents a day. Requests for copies of accident reports keep the department's records unit busy printing out documents for individuals and insurance companies.

Noonan said he wants to make the system of issuing copies of accident reports more efficient for the department and easier for the public.

The deal with Police Reports.US, which the town can scrap if it doesn't think it is working out, calls for Police Reports.US to distribute accidents reports for no cost to the town. The company would charge a $5 fee for each report obtained by the public online, with Clarkstown getting a $2 share of that fee. The agreement calls for the town to be paid monthly.

Copies of these reports may be obtained in person during normal business hours, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, at police headquarters at 20 Maple Ave., New City. There is a fee of 25-cents per page.

Clarkstown already uses a computerized system for compiling accident reports. Police officers enter information about each accident and the reports are reviewed by a supervisor. Noonan said Police Reports.US will use the electronic reports gathered by police officers for the online distribution process.

Noonan said only reports that have been cleared for release to Police Reports.US  will be available. He said most accident reports will be available, but he noted some more detailed reports, such as fatal accidents that involve more elaborate investigative reports, would not be immediately accessible online.

The online system has accident reports dating back to July 1.

The Police Reports.US service is used by police departments across the country, including nearby at the Yorktown Police Department in Westchester and the Greene County Sheriff's Department.