Benton deputies, Kennewick police offer new, easier way to report minor crimes
People in Kennewick and rural Benton County have a new way to report minor crimes.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Kennewick Police Department rolled out new websites recently that allow people to file a report about certain types of misdemeanor crimes, such as graffiti, hit-and-run damage and mail thefts.
The goal is give people a way to report an incident that isn’t urgent or if there is no suspect information or evidence to be gathered., said sheriff’s Lt. Jason Erickson.
It is a quick way to make a record of a problem but also doesn’t necessarily require officers to visit the site, freeing them up to respond to other criminal activity or emergencies. It also keeps people from needing to wait for an officer to respond.
“We want to remove as many barriers as we can for the public,” Erickson told the Tri-City Herald.
Kennewick police Commander Isaac Merkl said those types of non-emergency calls account for 20% of their calls for service, so even if a portion those can be sent to new system, it would free up officers.
Erickson said the program cost the county $34,000 to establish and now other law enforcement agencies can join the system.
Kennewick was the first and it will cost the city $18,000.
Richland and Prosser police are also eligible.
To access the reporting system, go to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office’s or Kennewick Police Department’s website.
You then select from a list of crimes to report and follow the prompts to enter information for the report.
Sheriff’s deputies or Kennewick records clerks will review the information to determine if an officer needs to contact them.
People may get a call for more information or get a reply in about one to three business days with a case number that they can use for insurance claim purposes.
Merkl and Erickson explained that this is an additional service for people who want to use it. If someone wants to speak to a deputy or officer, they can still call the non-emergency number or 911.