
Starting tomorrow, Nov. 20, Kamloops residents will be able to report non-emergency crimes that have no witnesses or suspects on a new RCMP online platform.
Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says it has to be crimes where a police presence is not needed, thereby freeing up staff time to respond to more serious calls.
“Citizens will be able to report damage and mischief to property or vehicle under $5,000, theft under $5,000, lost property – things like that,” she said.
Shelkie says the online reporting tool was first introduced at BC RCMP detachments in Surrey, Kelowna, Ridge Meadows, and Richmond last July.
“It’s really too early to say just what the stats are but I can say that people are using it,” Shelkie added. “Like anything, it takes a while for people to get used to a new system and a new way of doing things. Eventually, we would like to have this online reporting tool across British Columbia.”
To make a report using the Online Crime Reporting tool, you can visit www.kamloops.ca/rcmp
Criteria of eligible crimes that can be reported online:
- Damage/mischief to property under $5,000
- Damage/mischief to a vehicle under $5,000
- Hit and run to an unoccupied vehicle or property
- Theft of bicycle under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Theft from vehicle under $5,000
- Lost property
However, police say there must not be:
- Any witnesses or suspects
- Any items lost or stolen over $5,000
- Any damages over $5,000
- No items involving personal identity, firearms, licence plates or decals