HCSO debuts online citizen reporting
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday it’s implemented a new online citizen reporting feature that anyone age 18 and older can now use for certain situations.
“This system will not only save time and taxpayer dollars, but it will also help us prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “While the system was in the works long before the coronavirus impacted our community, this is an added benefit for our deputies and Hillsborough County residents. It allows deputies to respond to higher priority calls faster and reduces the risk of exposure to deputies and residents for non-critical reports.”
Citizens can file non-emergency reports online at teamhcso.org or through the official HCSO mobile app. Certain calls made by mobile phone will be determined eligible for online reporting and the HCSO dispatcher will forward callers to their QuickConnect phone number to proceed further online. To be eligible, you must be 18 or older in a non-emergency situation where you are neither in immediate danger nor witnessing a crime in progress. The following situations qualify for online reporting:
- Accident/traffic crash (minor crashes with no injury or impairment)
- Conservation violation (illegal dumping with unknown suspects)
- Identity theft
- Credit card fraud
- Immigration scam (fraud or swindle of a victim who is pursuing immigration reclassification)
- Lost property (with the exception of firearms)
- Registration of golf carts and bicycles
- Delayed shoplifting/retail theft (online submission must be able to submit proof of a crime, like video or photos of the event)
- Vandalism/graffiti (no known suspects)
- Vehicle vandalism (no known suspects)
According to HCSO, the feature will save them both time and money. HCSO tested the feature from Jan. 21 through March 7 and found the online system saved 850.5 hours of reporting and $22,680 in deputy reporting costs.
HCSO made a video demonstrating the step-by-step process of online reporting, which can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=T0xBpVAHHwc&feature=youtu.be.
Chronister warns of phishing scams
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister is urging people to stay ready for a possible increase in scams and phishing attempts related in some way to coronavirus.
“Please keep in mind that coronavirus scams and attacks can happen at work or at home, via email, text messaging or even over the phone,” Chronister said. “Don’t fall victim to bad guys playing on your emotions.
Chronister said the public should be wary of messages or phone calls that “communicate a tremendous sense of urgency,” that pressure you to ignore your company’s security policies, that promote “miracle cure” medicines and that pretend to be government officials spurring you to immediate action.