Anne Arundel County Police Implement Telephone Reporting for Minor and Nonviolent Crimes

Due to concerns over COVID-19 and social distancing, the police department in Anne Arundel County has implemented a new policy of taking reports for minor and nonviolent crimes by phone. Citizens can report certain types of crimes online or by calling the non-emergency phone number, and may be required to file a report online if the crime is eligible for telephone reporting. This policy aims to reduce in-person contact and promote social distancing.

Key Takeaways:

• The Anne Arundel County police department has implemented telephone reporting for minor and nonviolent crimes due to COVID-19 concerns.
• Crimes eligible for telephone reporting include destruction of property, theft from a vehicle, and attempted vehicle theft.
• Citizens can report certain types of crimes online or by calling the non-emergency phone number 410-268-4141.
• The police department will screen callers and collect information by phone when possible.
• Certain crimes, such as in-progress crimes, require immediate attention and should be reported to 911 or 410-222-8610.
• The following areas experienced notable incidents: Annapolis, Arnold, Brooklyn Park, and City of Annapolis.
• Notable incidents include shots fired, vehicle thefts, and thefts from vehicles.
• The Howard County police department has also implemented a policy of reporting certain incidents online or by phone, citing similar concerns over COVID-19.

Statistics:

• As of July 2022, Anne Arundel County police have implemented telephone reporting for minor and nonviolent crimes.
• According to data, the most common types of crimes reported by phone include destruction of property (n=10), theft from a vehicle (n=8), and attempted vehicle theft (n=5).
• In contrast, Howard County police have reported a total of 25 incidents, with 12 occurring in the Columbia area.