Politics & Government

Baltimore Unveils Online Crime Reporting Program

Victims of minor crimes in Baltimore may now file reports through the department's website.

Victims of minor crimes in Baltimore may now file a report online instead of waiting for an officer to arrive.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts and Councilman Brandon Scott announced the online crime reporting process through Coplogic Inc. on Monday morning at Baltimore Police Headquarters.

"This is going to be a great tool for the citizens of Baltimore," Scott said. "But also if you know me, I like to save money. One of the great things about this system is that it calculates for us how much money the city saves."

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Anthony Guglielmi, a police spokesman, said its unknown how much money and manpower the new system will save the city, but that jurisdictions, such as Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties, are already using the system and have seen significant savings. Scott said Charlotte, N.C. saved about 8,000 man-hours and $300,000 using the system last year.

The system allows victims to file reports online at the Baltimore police’s website for incidents, such as car break-ins, vandalism and illegal dumping, Reports can also be filed on various platforms including a computer, tablet or smartphone.

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"If a resident still wants a police officer out there we will allow that to happen. We will try to usher them towards the Coplogic program, but we’re in the business of service, if an officer is still needed, maybe someone is not adept at using technology, we will still be there," Batts said.    

Rawlings-Blake said the new program is evidence of her administrations desire to use technology to make the city more efficient and help in the goal of attracting 10,000 families to the city in a decade.

"I’m a huge proponent of using technology to strengthen interaction between citizens and their government," Rawlings-Blake said. "I’m constantly challenging our city agency heads to stay ahead of the curve by investing in technology solutions that make government more efficient and more effective—a safer city is a growing city."


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