Kent residents now can use the city’s Web site to file non-emergency crime reports such as theft, identity theft, vandalism and harassing phone calls.
The online reporting system allows residents to report a crime without any known suspects, according to a July 28 Kent Police media release.
The online system is designed to document the incident while eliminating the cost and time of having officers take the reports. The reports will be automatically entered in the Kent Police database and will be used for crime analysis as well as for state reporting requirements.
More than 300 reports were processed during a test period from May 13 to July 21. The system is now fully operational.
The reports can be used for the following eight crimes, if no suspect information exists:
Harassing phone calls, theft from vehicle, theft, identity theft, vandalism, hit and run, vehicle tampering and lost property.
If residents have suspect information, officers will take the reports. Officers also will take reports from residents without Internet access.
The crime must have occurred within the city limits. Some homes and apartments have Kent addresses but are in the unincorporated areas handled by the King County Sheriff’s Office.
Residents also can use the online system to add information later through a supplemental report. Theft cases often need to be updated with further items discovered missing or the serial numbers of items that were taken.
“This e-reporting system will save a lot of time and money, and will provide excellent service to the citizens of Kent,” said Sheila Knapp, Kent Police records manager, in the media release. “This is the beginning, we are looking forward to other ways the Internet can be used to better serve our city.”
To report one of the eight crimes, go to www.ci.kent.wa.us/police and select “File an online police report.”
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