By Lea Kahn
If the mailbox has been vandalized or the bicycle has been stolen from the back yard, filing a report with the Lawrence Township Police Department is just a click away.
The Police Department recently introduced its Citizens Online Police Reporting System, which allows victims to report minor incidents by computer. The system is accessible through the township’s website, www.lawrencetwp.com. It is listed in the right-hand column on the home page.
The system has been available for about five months, and in that time, about 20 reports have been filed, said Chief of Police Daniel Posluszny.
”We looked at it doing it this way for the last year or so, with people’s (growing) access to the Internet,” Chief Posluszny said. “Young people are more computer savvy. It’s easier (to report minor offenses). They can print a copy of the report (for the insurance company) right away.”
The online reporting system can be used to file reports for a wide range of incidents, he said. It can be used to report harassing telephone calls, minor car accidents such as fender benders, vandalism, thefts, identity theft and lost property, he said.
The online reporting system offers definitions of incidents and examples to help victims determine whether an incident can be reported online, or if a police officer should be contacted.
Criminal mischief is defined as defacing private or public property, such as graffiti or acts of vandalism.
Minor car accidents can be reported online, if the drivers have exchanged information, there are no injuries and there is little to no damage. Backing into a pole or other object is an example of the type of accident that can be reported on the system.
Identity theft is obtaining someone’s personal identifying information and using it to open credit accounts or to buy goods or services. Theft is defined as knowing that property is stolen or missing, and that it was taken without permission. The value of the stolen item is less than $200.
Theft from a motor vehicle means something that has been taken from a car or truck, whether the vehicle was locked or unlocked. Vehicle tampering is scratching a car with a key, breaking a car window or attempting to remove a part from a car.
Each online report that is submitted will be reviewed by a police lieutenant, Chief Posluszny said. Depending on the nature of the incident, a police officer or a detective may contact the victim and follow up on it, he said.
For example, if a mailbox that has been smashed but there is no evidence or no suspects, the Police Department may not follow up on it, the police chief said. But if there is a spate of vandalism in a neighborhood, the police may reach out and contact the victims.
”(The online reporting system) assists us in making more time available for more serious crimes or in-depth concerns,” he said. “We have to do a balancing act in how the officers spend their time and how resources are used. It gives us an option (in) how we assign officers.”
Chief Posluszny was quick to note that the online reporting system would not replace police contact with victims. Residents and business owners are not being directed to use the online reporting system at this time, he said.
”If you call, we will send an officer,” Chief Posluszny said. “(But) if people feel comfortable, we encourage them to use (the online reporting system). Reporting it online is like reporting it to a police officer. There is no difference.”

