Palo Alto Launches Online Tool To Report Minor Crimes

PALO ALTO, CA — Palo Alto police just added a new tech-tool to their crime-fighting arsenal.

The city’s Police Department announced the launch of new online reporting the public to file police reports for various minor crimes or non-injury traffic collisions.

The system is for crimes in Palo Alto without suspect information, such as auto burglaries, vandalism, minor traffic collisions, phone scams or child custody order violations, according to police.

Whoever makes the report will then be notified by email after an officer reviews and approves it, and will be contacted further if any other investigation is required.

The new reporting tool “provides a way for individuals to make reports from the safety and comfort of their own home during the current global health emergency,” the Palo Alto Police Department said in a statement.

“It also allows patrol officers to focus on the immediate needs of the community, remaining available to respond to urgent calls and spending their time investigating crimes with suspect information or patrolling to deter criminal activity altogether.

“The use of the system will also allow public safety dispatchers to focus on priority and emergency calls.”

Police said in a news release that the system "is accessible around-the-clock, allowing flexibility for residents and visitors to report crime at a time that is convenient for them" and "allows patrol officers to focus on the immediate needs of the community."

People can also call (833) 290-3185 and enter a phone number to receive a text link to begin the online reporting process on their mobile device, police said.

Any more serious crimes or collisions should be reported by calling 911 or the Palo Alto police 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413.

Anonymous tips can be emailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text or voicemail to (650) 383-8984.

Bay City News and Patch Editor Gideon Rubin contributed to this report