New Belleville Police website allows residents to report crime, file reports online
The Belleville Police Department has launched a new website which allows citizens to file police reports and report some crimes online.
The website address is www.belleville.net/457/Online-Reporting.
Belleville Police Lt. Todd Keilbach said the new website can make reporting crime more efficient both for the city’s residents and the department.
“The Belleville Police Department values the community and this new online system increases our capability to provide additional assistance to them,” Keilbach said.
Keilbach said the online system can be used to provide crime tips, drug activity, anonymous information regarding ongoing investigations, or traffic complaints.
Residents can also join the Belleville Police Department’s private video surveillance camera program, Keilbach said.
“This program lets the police department know who has exterior cameras that record and would like to assist us in solving neighborhood crime,” Keilbach said.
Participation in the video surveillance program is voluntary. Keilbach said anyone who agrees to participate may be contacted by police to view video recordings in the event a crime occurs in their neighborhood.
The online system also allows residents and business owners to request security checks for their residences and businesses.
When submitting online police reports, the information cannot include suspect information. Reports can be filed only on incidents that occur within the Belleville city limits, Keilbach said.
Residents can also report fraud online, including hacked credit card or bank accounts, and identity theft.
Keilbach said, said residents can report on line “if someone obtained telephone service using a credit card they were not authorized to use, impersonates, or deceives a resident into giving their property or money, or uses a credit card to make purchases without proper authorization”
Domestic incidents, threats of physical harm or damage to property, and obscene phone calls also can be reported through the new system.
“If residents feel they are receiving harassing phone calls such as someone making sexual suggestions or an ex-boyfriend texting and threatening to slash car tires or key a car, they can report it on line,” Keilbach said.
Lost property, theft, illegal dumping may be reported online.
“Citizens can also add information to existing reports by clicking on Supplemental/Follow-Up Police Report or Victim/Witness Voluntary Statement.
“These forms have to be completed, printed and signed before they are delivered or mailed to the Belleville Police Department,” Keilbach said,
All of the reports filed on line will be assigned a case number within a few days of the police department receiving them. A patrol supervisor will review them. If further investigation is needed. an officer will contact the resident for follow up information.
This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 1:06 PM.
