* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Scott
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
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Baltimore Police Department - Online Reporting Systems for Minor Crimes, Officer Commendations and Complaints
FOR the purpose of requesting the Baltimore City Police Department to implement systems that allow citizens to report minor crimes, commend an officer and initiate a complaint against an officer on its website in order to provide a greater level of service and transparency to the Citizens of Baltimore.
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Recitals
In an effort to provide better more efficient service for their citizens, police departments across the nation have begun to take reports for minor crimes online. Citizens in twenty-one of the top forty cities by population, including Charlotte, Chicago and Seattle, now have the option to report crimes like larceny from auto, property damage or theft, and communicating threats online.
In 2011 the police departments in Charlotte and Seattle took in over 4,000 and 6,000 reports online respectively. Baltimore citizens made over a million calls for police service in 2011. Often those citizens find themselves waiting for long periods of time to get a report for a minor crime that they need to provide to their insurance company.
In recent years the Baltimore Police Department has increased its use of technology and communication with the citizenry. However, the Baltimore Police Department must continue to be on the cutting edge of using technology to provide the most efficient service to the citizens of Baltimore. Implementing an online reporting of minor crimes system would allow citizens the option to file reports and get the information they need while simultaneously allowing officers to focus on the more serious crimes.
Similarly, in an effort to strengthen trust with citizens, police departments across the country are now allowing citizens to make commendations and complaints of police officers online.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Council respectfully requests the Baltimore City Police Department to implement online reporting systems for Minor Crimes, Officer Commendations and Complaints to provide a greater level of service and transparency to the citizens of Baltimore.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Police Commissioner report to the City Council on the progress of these programs and after implementation, annual reports on the usage of these systems.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Police Commissioner, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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