DALLAS — Not enough officers and too many calls are making it difficult for the Dallas Police Department to get to urgent calls quickly.
So, starting July 3, people will only be able to report certain non-emergency offenses online or over the phone.
DPD says it will help free up officers.
”Our goal in this mandatory reporting is to cut down our response times and free up more officers and respond quicker to those who need our help in an emergency,” said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia.
According to Dallas police, high-priority calls are on the rise.
Priority 1 calls like shootings and stabbings are up 7.5%, and Priority 2 calls like major disturbances are up 3%, police say.
At the same time, the department says it is short 500 patrol officers from where its staffing should be.
”These calls require multiple officers staying at a scene for extended periods of time,” said Garcia.
People will now be directed to go online to dallaspolice.net to report the following offenses: accidents, harassing phone calls not domestic violence related, graffiti, theft or credit card abuse, criminal mischief, reckless damage, identity theft, lost property, theft of service, burglary of a coin machine, shoplifting and interference with child custody.
Some residents don’t like the idea.
”If someone breaks into your car and steals something -- what if it’s a gun?" said East Dallas resident Edward Roblez. "What happens if it’s your wallet and they have your credit cards or jewelry?”
Chief Garcia says those offenses will still be investigated.
”Every crime they report using this method will have the same investigatory process as if an officer was at their home or at the scene,” said Garcia.
Some residents say they understand the pressure officers are under, and they welcome the idea.
”I think it’s going to be a lot like self-check-out at the grocery stores -- some people love it, some people hate it," said Buckner Terrace Crime Watch President Daniel Wood. "But I think some of us just want to get it done."
The online system has already been up for three years, but filing complaints through this portal has not previously been mandatory.
DPD says the change will save the department 51,000 patrol hours -- equal to the work of 24 officers.
For those who can’t use the online reporting system, DPD will set up kiosks at every patrol station.