ORILLIA, Ont. — The OPP says the trend of the public reporting crimes online is catching on, so much so the provincial police force is showing a 99 per cent increase in online reports over the same time period in 2019.
The jump in online reported crimes is seen in the time period spanning January 1 to May 20 of this year when compared to the same period last year.
Now, the OPP is encouraging citizens to report even more crimes online.
As online reporting usage has grown, the OPP says it has expanded the system to include more options for citizens.
Previously, reports made online were limited to crimes under $5000. Now, crimes (regardless of value) for which there is no evidence or suspects are eligible for online reporting. Examples of crimes which could fit those criteria include:
- Theft
- Mischief / Damage to Property
- Mischief / Damage to Vehicle
- Theft from Vehicle
- Lost / Missing Property
- Stolen License Plates and/or Validation Tags
- Driving Complaints (after the occurrence)
To see the list of less serious incidences eligible for online reporting and to access the system, click here, choose your location and start the report. This will take the user to a secure link where they will be given precise instructions on how to fill out the report.
The OPP says the increased use of online reporting helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 by limiting direct contact between police and members of the public. This allows frontline officers to focus efforts on urgent calls and crime prevention strategies within our communities. The OPP thanks the public for using online reporting.
