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Online Reporting of Crimes and Incidents:  --- Guidelines updated on 1/10/2008 ---

The Walnut Creek Police Department offers on-line report submission for certain crimes and incidents.  The types of reports you may report online are; petty theft (theft with a loss less than $400), vandalism, lost property, and annoying phone calls. 

The crime you are reporting must meet certain guidelines which include; the person must be the victim; the crime/incident must have occurred within the city limits of Walnut Creek; and there must not be any suspect information. 

The forms that follow are designed to ensure the report you are submitting meets the above guidelines.  If your report does not meet these guidelines, please call our dispatch center at 925-943-5844.  Once your report has been received, we will assign it to an officer who will then contact you by phone.  He or she will review your report and provide you with an official case number.  Please provide the best phone number to contact you within one hour of submitting your report. 

Online reporting guidelines:

• Petty Theft (PC 484 (a)/ 488/ 490)
  Petty theft is the theft of property with a fair market value less than $400.  We will accept online reports of petty theft where there is no suspect information, no known witnesses, and no other information that would help us solve the crime.  Please note that regardless of value, the theft of any firearm is grand theft, as are all pocket picks and purse snatches. Make a petty theft report.
   
• Vandalism (PC 594 (a) 1-3)
  Vandalism is generally defined as the deliberate damaging, destruction, or defacing of property, including tagging and graffiti.   We will accept online reports of vandalism where the damage does not exceed $4,000, and where there is no suspect information, no known witnesses, and no other information that would help us solve the crime. 
  Make a vandalism report.
   
• Lost Property
  Lost property is defined as property that is discovered missing, with no evidence that the loss is a result of a theft.  We will accept reports of lost property even when the date, time, and exact location of the loss is not known.   
  Make a lost property report.
   
• Annoying Phone Calls (PC 653(m))
  Annoying phone calls are generally described as any calls received (either live or on an answering machine) where the caller does not identify himself, or, when the caller makes any obscene or threatening statements.  Repeated calls from creditors do not fall within this classification, nor do calls from aggressive telemarketers or ex-spouses; however, there is other relief under the law for these kinds of cases you may call us about. The most common kind of phone call complaints received are the simple ring-hang-up calls where the caller says nothing, and a case number is required by the phone company before they will trap the call.  Note that it is quite possible that with repeated calls, especially if you hear a modem-like tone when you answer, it may just be a misdirected computer.  You may be able to get the matter resolved by just calling the Pacific Bell Consumer Complaint Line directly. 
  Make an annoying phone calls report.
  
  ** Note:  Specific, credible, and personal threats made to you, or your family are entirely different, and much more serious crimes, and you need to call us immediately.

Helpful Hints for Online Reporters:

"Just the facts"  Just report us what you personally saw, or know.  This is not the place for speculation, opinions, or conclusions.   Remember, if you have any idea who did the crime, or there are any witnesses, you need to call us or come to the station.
 

Details do matter.  If you can locate model and serial numbers for your lost or stolen property, we can enter it in the national databases as such.   Where called for, estimate as best you can the fair market value for the property, or the dollar amount of damage done.
 

Go with the form.  We've provided all the allowable choices in the drop-downs and outlines.  If it doesn't fit, then you cannot report it online.  Certain fields are mandatory entries that require input before we can file the form.
 

Gives us some time.  Officers are given calls in order of priority.  They will be given your report in priority order and contact you by the numbers you provided on your report usually within one hour.  Depending on other calls we may be handling, this time may be extended.  If you do not hear from us within 2 hours, contact the dispatch center at 925-943-5844 and inquire about the status of your report.  Please specify that you submitted an online report.
 

You are still responsible for making sure whatever you report to us, whether by phone, in person, or online is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.

If it just isn't working for you, you can always call us on (925) 943-5844.   We'll have an officer call you back, or come to your home.