Alaska State Troopers launch new online crime reporting system

WASILLA — The Alaska State Troopers recently launched a new crime reporting system that will allow Alaskans to submit information about certain crimes securely online.

According to a recent press release, the new system is now available. It’s designed for certain non-emergency incidents and situations where the suspect is not known and the crime was not witnessed, including reports for fraud, harassing phone calls, shoplifting, theft, trespassing, and vandalism/criminal mischief are currently being accepted. The system may be expanded in the future.

Online crime reporting systems like these are widely used across the United States to give citizens a different path to report certain crimes to law enforcement, saving both the agency and the citizen time and resources.

Prior to this development, Alaskans had to call a non-emergency phone number or physically go to an Alaska State Trooper post to file a police report.

“This new reporting option for Alaskans will not only free up our Troopers to respond to more calls for service but will also allow for a convenient option whenever someone may be hesitant to call or drive to a post to inform us of crime that is impacting their life,” Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell stated in the press release. “Your Alaska State Troopers are committed to doing our part to address all levels of crime that occur within our state and holding anyone that victimizes Alaskans accountable.”

Every report is reviewed for accuracy and any additional follow-up.

Once accepted, the reporter will receive an email acknowledging receipt of the report with a second email after the report has been reviewed, containing a copy of the incident report number that can be used for insurance purposes or their personal records.

This new system is available within the Troopers’ area of responsibility, and crimes occurring in an area patrolled by a local police department should still be reported directly to them.

Those seeking to report a crime can find more information online at dps.alaska.gov/crimereport.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com