Police release crime stats

SOUTH PORTLAND — During 2011, the South Portland Police Department accepted a total of 283 crime reports via the Internet, with thefts (including thefts from motor vehicles), and criminal mischief complaints making up the largest percentage of those.  

In May 2010, the department launched a web-based reported system, allowing the public a convenient option for filing certain non-priority crime reports over the Internet (e.g., thefts or lost property, vehicle burglaries, criminal mischief / vandalism and identity theft), for incidents in which there are no known suspects or evidence. This option was intended to enhance the service provided to the community and to allow the department to make more efficient use of their limited personnel resources and staff time. 

It is estimated that, during 2011, upwards of 424.5 hours of staff time was saved through use of the online reporting system. Based on an estimated figure of $50 of staff time per report, it is calculated that the use of this reporting feature has saved approximately $14,150 during the calendar year.  

The system can be accessed from both the department and the city’s website (www.southportland.org), as well as from a kiosk desk in the front lobby of the police station. Once submitted and accepted online, the reporting party will automatically receive a free copy of the final police report emailed to them as a PDF document. The online report is then automatically uploaded into the department’s records management system, where it will receive the same review, follow-up and statistical analysis as if it had been filed by a police officer.