Author: Nicole Porter, N.A. PORTER & ASSOCIATES
Did you know that community members in the Parry Sound / Muskoka Regions are being asked to help Police cut down on non-emergency phone calls by using a newly implemented online reporting system for minor crimes?
According to a November 18 OPP News Release, minor crimes can now be reported online with what the OPP are calling a “secure, simple and convenient tool.” By using Online Reporting for minor crimes, such as thefts, minor damage to property, and graffiti, OPP deputy commissioner Harkins hopes it will increase the availability of officers and communications operators for more urgent calls.
In 2018, the OPP Provincial Communications Centres “received over two million 911, non-emergency and administrative calls; of these, officers were dispatched to approximately 1.05 million occurrences”. An increased use of online reporting should essentially allow front-line workers to focus efforts on more urgent calls and crime prevention strategies within communities.
Police say the online reporting tool is user-friendly; a process that can be completed from any mobile device, tablet, computer or laptop (with internet access).
For more information, or to see which crimes are eligible for online reporting, please view the following video at: youtu.be/jop9IN2ePOY or visit opp.ca/reporting