To improve customer service, the city of Santa Maria is offering city residents a new online option to report non-emergency crimes within the city limits.

The system allows users to submit a report immediately, provides a tracking number, and allows a copy of the police report to be printed for free. The service is available in both English and Spanish.

The online system should improve the timely delivery of select non-emergency services, the city said. It is not, however, meant to take the place of delivering police services in-person.

Those who want to file a report in-person may come to the Police Department front desk or request a police officer to respond by calling 805-928-3781.

This may give time back to public safety dispatchers and police officers to better respond to emergency calls for service, the city said.

There are nine available incident types of non-emergencies: child custody violations, crime tips, harassing phone calls, hit-and-run collision with no suspect information, identify theft, lost property, theft, theft from vehicle, and vandalism.

The requirements to be able to use the online option are:
1. This is not an emergency,
2. This incident occurred within the Santa Maria City limits,
3. This did not occur on a state freeway,
4. This does not involve a motor vehicle and/or license plate theft,
5. This does not involve theft from someone unlawfully entering your home,
6. There are no known suspects,
7. No firearms were involved in the incident.

The online crime reporting link is:
https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/police-department/programs-forms/online-reporting.