Chatham-Kent residents will soon be able to report smaller crimes online with the CKPS's CopLogic system.
The program will be run through the police website starting in February and March. It allows residents to report petty crimes, like theft, mischief or missing property, and send the information directly to police HQ on their own time.
Sergeant Jason Chickowski explains the users' complaint and basic info is received by officers.
"It's to determine a further investigation is warranted. The crime could be part of a serial theft ring involving many houses, which could prompt us to put in more resources that way," he says.
Chickowski adds residents will still have the option of reporting crimes by phone.
"We'll never replace an officer being avaible to respond to complaints. It's just another tool that's readily available for residents to use on their own time."
Installation of the program will cost a one-time fee of $26,701.12, followed by upkeep costs of $23,003.06 over the next five years.
