ACPD Expands Online Report System to Include Property Damage Crashes

The Arlington County Police Department is expanding its online reporting system, to allow more police reports to be filed online during the era of social distancing.

ACPD says members of the public can now file reports of minor property damage crashes online, instead of needing to do so in person. The online reporting system has also now been translated into Spanish, the police department says.

“Out of an abundance of caution and to help mitigate and reduce any unnecessary exposure and spread of COVID-19, ACPD asks that the public report applicable non-emergency incidents using the online reporting system,” the police website says. “Officers continue to proactively patrol the County and respond to in-progress crimes and emergency calls where there is an immediate threat to life, health or property.”

More from a police press release:

The Arlington County Police Department is announcing the expansion of its online police reporting system. The system update builds upon the County’s comprehensive effort to improve service delivery through its website and online platforms to better meet the needs of our constituents.

Updates to the online reporting system include:

Expanded Reporting Capabilities: The addition of crash reporting enables you to file a property damage report online, instead of completing the report in-person or submitting it by mail. The following types of crashes can now be filed online:

• Crash – Hit and Run: Damage caused by another vehicle in which the driver should have left information or fled the scene without stopping to provide information.
• Crash – No Injury (less than $1,500 damage): You are involved in a minor crash and need to report the information to police for insurance purposes.
• Crash – Private Property: You are involved in a minor crash on private property or you are the owner of the property.

Crashes with injury, or with more than $1,500 in damage should be reported to police by calling 703-558-2222 or 911 in an emergency.

Online Reporting in Spanish: In support of the Department’s efforts to increase the accessibility of online services to those with limited English proficiency, the online police reporting system has been translated to Spanish and will now accept non-emergency reports submitted in Spanish. The following incidents, in addition to crash reporting, can now be reported online in both English and Spanish:

• Credit Card Fraud: Any person who obtains someone else’s credit card and uses it to purchase items.
• Fraud/False Pretenses: Any person who fraudulently obtains or sells goods and services.
• Harassing Phone Calls: Any person who repeatedly, with the intent to annoy, telephones or makes contact by means of an electronic communication. For example, immediate hang-ups, obscene language, emails, text messages with no known suspects.
• Identity Theft: Any person who obtains someone else’s personal identifying information and uses it to obtain credit, goods or services.
• Larceny/Theft: Personal property taken without your permission.
• Larceny/Theft from Vehicle: Property taken from a motor vehicle.
• Suspicious Circumstances: Information you would like to report to the police but is not necessarily a crime.
• Vandalism: Any person who maliciously damages, destroys or defaces public or private property. For example, knocking over a mailbox or spray painting a wall.
• Vehicle Tampering: Any person who tampers with a motor vehicle without theft or damage.

Members of the public should continue to report in-progress crimes and emergency calls for service where there is an immediate threat to life, health or property to the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 911 in an emergency. Those in need of police assistance are reminded that language is never be a barrier to services. The Department continues to utilize officers who are bi-lingual for translation, as well as language line services, to communicate with those who have limited English proficiency.

Since the onset of the COVID-19, the Department has taken proactive measures to minimize unnecessary face-to-face contact with the public to help mitigate the potential spread of the virus. Members of the public are encouraged to assist in these efforts by reporting applicable non-emergency criminal and traffic incidents using the online reporting system. The expansion of accident reporting and reporting in Spanish to this system will further support public health protocols while ensuring the public has safe and efficient means of reporting incidents to law enforcement.