How to Report a Crime - Santa Cruz Police Department

How to Report a Crime

Requesting Police Services for an Emergency: 911
It is appropriate to call 911 for calls which involve a crime, accident or incident requiring a uniformed police officer to respond.

Crime Tip Line 420- 5995
Anonymous information may be left on an answering machine in the police department through the Crime Tip Line. This line is checked on a daily basis.

Alternate Emergency 7-Digit Telephone Number: 471-1131
When requesting assistance from the Police Department, realize that requests are prioritized with emergency calls having priority over nonemergency calls. The officer will respond to your call as soon as possible.

When calling you will be asked:

What is the problem?
Where is the problem?
Is it still happening (in progress)?
How many people are involved?
Are there weapons involved?
What do the people look like (sex, age, race, height, weight, what are they wearing)?
Are there vehicles involved?
Can you describe them (year, make, model, color, license plate)?
Which way did they go?
What is your name, address, and telephone number.

You may make a police report at 155 Center Street.
Because we do not staff officers at the station, a beat officer will be responding to take your report. There may be a wait. Although most crimes/incidents may be reported at the police department, an officer may need to respond to the scene of the incident. It is our goal to provide you with the most efficient and prompt service possible. However, calls are prioritized as to seriousness. For nonemergency "cold" police reports only, a wait of two to four hours is typical. By prioritizing our calls in this manner we are better able to respond to higher priority, more serious crime incidents in a timely manner. Whenever possible, you will be advised of delays.

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