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By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer Updated 7:27 AM Thursday, April 15, 2010

DAYTON — Victims of crimes such as theft, vandalism and harassment will soon be able to file police reports online in Dayton.

Online reporting saves money and frees officers to handle more serious crimes, according to Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl.

The system is expected to be operational in about 60 days.

“It’s tremendously convenient for citizens. They do not have to wait for an officer to respond,” Biehl said Wednesday, April 14, in a presentation to the City Commission.

Gloria White, president of the Santa Clara Neighborhood Improvement Association, said she thinks it will take time for residents to adjust to an online system.

“It’s instinct for us to call. It’s like breathing,” she said. “It’s going to be a rough one to trust. It’ll take time to see how well it does.”

Online reporting will be limited to these types of crime:

fraud

harassing telephone calls

identity theft

lost property

theft

vandalism

vehicle-related (non-traffic crash)

property damage (accidental).

Once a victim files an online report, a confirmation with a report number would immediately be e-mailed to the person filing the report. An officer will review every submission to determine if further action is necessary.

“If a crime involves a suspect, we’re still going to respond,” Biehl said.

In a 2007 Dayton Community Satisfaction Survey, a sampling of 1,345 residents indicated nearly 57 percent had Internet access. Those who do not have a computer will still be able to file a report by calling police.

The nonemergency number to call is (937) 333-2677. The Web address to file reports online is not yet active.

Because the city has fewer police officers — due to a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit preventing Dayton from holding police recruit testing — and will have even fewer with retirements in 2011, Biehl expects the online system to reduce the call load on officers.

The city of Columbus started taking online reports in May 2009. During the last six months of 2009, more than 1,000 reports were filed online, saving the police department 1,546 work hours and $41,200.

Ian MacConnell, a commissioner representing the University District of Columbus, a neighborhood group, said the practice makes good sense.

“I suggested something like this in 2008. I’m very happy to hear this is going on,” MacConnell said.

Though MacConnell hasn’t had an opportunity to file a online police report, he has done so over the telephone.

“It was a pretty long process,” he said. “I’m sure filing online would have saved me a lot of time standing outside in the cold.”

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