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The Alberta RCMP have launched a new tool to report crime online (RCMP)
Crime Reporting

Alberta RCMP rolls out new tool to report crime online

Aug 11, 2020 | 9:34 AM

EDMONTON, AB – The provincial RCMP has launched a new tool to report crimes online.

The new initiative will let Albertans report select property crimes online, with the RCMP saying this is to ensure residents can report crimes, no matter how small, in whatever way is most convenient and accessible to them.

As of Tuesday, August 11, citizens will be able to report the following crimes online:

  • Damage/mischief to property under $5,000
  • Theft of bicycle under $5,000
  • Theft under $5,000
  • Theft from vehicle under $5,000
  • Lost property

RCMP say that incidents ‘must satisfy’ the following conditions to be reported online:

  • No witnesses or suspects to the act
  • Item(s) lost or stolen must cost less than $5,000
  • Vandalized property will cost less than $5,000 to repair
  • There are no items involving personal identity, firearms, license plates or decals

Once a crime is filed online, a police officer in the “K” Division’s Call Back Unit (CBU) will phone the individual who filed the report within five business days.

“The CBU was created to ensure all non-urgent calls for service are investigated efficiently and effectively,” read a release from the Alberta RCMP.

The RCMP added that online reporting allows for physical distancing, something which is very prevalent amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative has been piloted in Airdrie, Banff, Cold Lake, Grande Prairie, Red Deer and Strathcona County from June 1 to now.

“Reporting less serious crime online helps emergency call takers and frontline members focus their time on high-priority calls,” read the release.

“We take all reports of crime seriously and crime reported online will be treated the same as crime reported in any other way.”

The link to online crime reporting can be found here.