Los Altos Police Debuts Online Reporting System
Los Altos, Calif. — September 27, 2023 — The Los Altos Police Department has introduced the Online Police Reporting System, offering members of the public the option to file a report of select incidents online. Each online report will be reviewed by a member of the Police department.
This new system offers individuals an option to go online to report an incident where it is not necessary for police personnel to be present; in turn, the online reporting allows personnel to be more available to respond to incidents where an officer’s presence is required.
“We’re excited to introduce this new online reporting system to the Los Altos community. It is a convenient alternative for residents who need to report a non-violent crime,” said Police Chief Angela Averiett. “This new system is another avenue for residents to report lost/stolen cell phones, identity theft, vandalism, and other non-emergency crimes. However, and we stress, residents should always use 911 for emergency situations.”
To qualify for online reporting, the incident must meet five criteria: be a non-emergency situation; have taken place within Los Altos city limits (and not a state freeway); have no known suspects; have no evidence that needs to be collected or processed; and lost or stolen property related to the incident are not a firearm, license plate, or vehicle.
This does not replace the ability of a police officer to respond to a residence or business, or have community members come to the police station to complete a report. Online reporting is not an alternative for incidents where evidence needs to be collected or when the suspect’s identity is known.
To place an online report for qualifying non-emergency incidents, individuals must go to the Department’s homepage, www.losaltosca.gov/police, and click on the ‘File a Police Report Online’ button. For cases reported online where there is a need for further investigation, a member of the Department will follow up appropriately.
Please direct media inquiries to Public Information Officer Sonia Lee at (650) 947-2611 or slee@losaltosca.gov.
