Fountain police launch online reporting system for nonviolent crime
The Fountain Police Department is now offering a new way to easily file police reports in an effort to make things quicker for victims and officers.
Instead of dialing 911, you can now turn to your keyboard to file a police report online. It’s now possible by going to the city of Fountain’s website.
“We go to the government page and scroll to police,” said Sgt. Scott Gilbertsen with the Fountain Police Department.
You can report anything from identity theft to property loss.
“If you file a report with me, you’re going to give me the same information you’re going to give me online,” Gilbertsen said.
He says this will save time and hassle for the victim and of course, the officer.
“We wanted something to allow our cops to spend more time on the road for more serious crimes where there are suspects, where there are injuries,” he said.
But there’s one requirement to using this new filing system.
“The key is there can’t be any suspect information. If there is suspect information you need to call police,” Gilbertsen said.
Jeffrey Freeman thinks this is a great way for police to connect with people.
“It’ll help streamline to at least let you know that you’re being heard instead of hearing a dial tone and it just rings and rings,” Freeman said.
David Grim also lives in Fountain and says he sometimes has items come up missing from his front yard.
“If I had the opportunity try to hold somebody accountable for that, other than just complaining on the neighborhood website, I would definitely take advantage of that,” Grim said.
The site has been live for the past week and is already getting some use. When you file, you will be given a case number and officers will contact you for follow-up appointments.
Colorado Springs police and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office are already using the same technology. The only difference is, instead of providing just a phone number, Fountain police require an email as another way to contact you.
