FAQs Police Report
Q: How To Do I Report a Crime?
A: When a crime is in progress, and it is an emergency, call 911 and provide the dispatcher as many details as you can. An officer will be dispatched to the incident, and a report will be taken as soon as the emergency is over.
If you need to report a crime that is not an emergency, you can call our non-emergency line, (707) 449-5200, and a call-taker will take the information. A police officer or community services officer will respond and take the report in most cases. Who responds is decided by the call-taker, based on the information you provide. Remember that emergencies take priority over non-emergencies, and delays may occur in handling non-emergency reports. You may also file some types of police reports online.
Q: How Do I Report a Traffic Accident?
A: If you are involved in, or see, a traffic collision and someone is injured, call 911 to report the emergency. If you are involved in the accident, you will be making a collision report to the officers that respond. Both police officers and community services officers are trained to document traffic collisions.
If no one is injured in the collision, and the vehicles are drivable, move from the roadway to a safe place. You may call our non-emergency number, (707) 449-5200, to report the collision. In some cases exchanging names, driver's license and vehicle license numbers, addresses, insurance carrier information, and accident details is sufficient. If an officer responds, the officer can help make sure that the information is correct, and issue a case number. If no officer responds, you can obtain a "do-it-yourself" traffic collision kit from the police department at 660 Merchant Street during business hours. Help will be available at the department for completion of your report.
Q: How Do I Make a Counter Report?
A: Counter Reports can be made at the Police Department during business hours. You fill out the report, and our office staff is available to assist and answer questions. On most days, a volunteer is on hand to write the report for you, and our police officer assigned to the front counter will also assist by taking your report.
In the event you are from out of town or cannot adjust your schedule to work with our staff, you may request a mail-in report. This report is sent to you and you complete the forms, returning them by mail. Mail-in reports should only be used when all other available options are not workable for you.
If you have any questions about how to report crime, call our Records section at (707) 449-5229.
Q: How Do I Report a Stolen Bicycle?
A: Come to the Police Lobby and complete the bicycle report form, unless your bicycle was stolen from a locked garage, to the best of your knowledge. If you have a serial number, it can be entered into the computer database. When the form is complete, submit it to the Records Section and a case number will be assigned for the report. If you need assistance completing the form, you may take it to the front counter and request assistance from a staff member.
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