As posted on Nextdoor in November 2019 by Officer Larry Hesselgesser, Northern Division: Posting crime information on Nextdoor.com, or on any other social media outlet, is NOT reporting a crime to the police department. The information below provides instructions on how to report a crime to the San Diego Police Department. Contact Community Relations Officer Melanie Bognuda if you have any questions at mbognuda@pd.sandiego.gov
• Report an Emergency – Call 9-1-1
• Report a Non-Emergency – Call 619-531-2000 or 858-484-3154
• Report Quality of Life issues (ie. homeless encampments, illegal dumping, vehicle habitation) – Report it online with “Get it Done” at https://www.sandiego.gov/get-it-done
• Report Insurance and some Non-Emergency crimes online at https://www.sandiego.gov/police/services/nonemergencies
What is a Non-Emergency (call 619-531-2000 or 858-484-3154):
• Crimes that are not occurring now
• Crimes in which there is no possibility that the suspect is still at the scene or is likely to return to the scene
• Crimes for which an immediate response is not needed
If there is any doubt as to whether the situation is an emergency, call 9-1-1. All calls are handled by priority. The protection of life will always be the highest priority.
What you will be asked when you call the police:
• Type of crime
• Location: exact street address and nearest cross street
• Time the crime occurred
• Weapons used
• Number of persons injured and types of injuries
• Vehicle information – type, license number, color, year, make, model, unusual characteristics (e.g., dents, bumper stickers), the number of persons
• Suspect information – race, gender, age, height, weight, hair color, hair length/ style, eye color, facial hair, clothing type/color, other characteristics (e.g., tattoos, missing teeth, scars, glasses) and direction of flight
Online Reporting for Non-emergency crimes:
You can also report some non-emergency crimes through the San Diego Police Department website. However, if there is evidence to be collected, or there is suspect info, you need to call 619-531-2000 or 858-484-3154 to have an officer dispatched to your location. To report online, go to https://www.sandiego.gov/police/services/nonemergencies
Please read all instructions to verify your report meets the Online reporting criteria. These reports are generally for insurance and important data collecting purposes. They are generally not investigated but can be if suspect information is developed later. Contact Northern Division at 858-552-1701 (normal business days/hours) to add info. Have your case number ready.
Your online report will be given an eight digit tracking number. After reviewing your online report, an officer will approve and email you an eight digit case number. If the officer has questions about your report or there is an issue, you will receive an email to call a number or to correct an error and re-file. The report is not complete until you receive a case number. Remember to check your spam folder for the email as well.
Posting on Nextdoor.com or any other social media outlet, is NOT reporting a crime. You must contact the San Diego Police Department to report a crime. Contact Community Relations Officer, Melanie Bognuda if you have any questions at mbognuda@pd.sandiego.gov
To download a PDF version of this information, visit Proper_Reporting_Procedures San Diego Police Department
For reported posts from University City News, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/category/sdpd/
