Police Report: Online Submission

Service

Thank You for Reporting Online

Online reporting provides a convenient way to report crimes that do not involve an active threat or emergent crisis. When you use the online system, you are also saving the police time, time that can be devoted to addressing some of the more immediate problems impacting our community.

The Police Bureau uses the data generated from your report, to identify patterns and trends across the city. This helps us develop new strategies for addressing crime and distribute agency resources to the areas of greatest need. Your report is of great value to this agency, your neighborhood, and the city more broadly.

If this is an emergency, call 911!

"It concerns and saddens me that you were victimized in our city. In addition to any property losses or damage you may have experienced, this incident may have impacted your feelings of safety and your trust in law enforcement. Please know that we take these incidents seriously. We understand how greatly this impacts all of our residents and visitors to our city, and are trying our best with the resources we have to respond to and investigate crime. We pledge our continued commitment as we work with our Justice System and City partners on additional ways to reduce crime in our city."


- Chief Bob Day



Can Your Crime be Reported Online?

For legal and safety reasons only certain crimes can be reported through the Police Bureau's online system. Please answer seven screening questions to determine whether your incident can be reported online.

Is this an emergency? (i.e., you or someone else is potentially in danger)

You should not use the online system. Call 911 instead.

Continue to next question.

Did the crime happen outside of Portland?

If you are unsure, you can use Portland Maps (opens in new window) to search for the address. If the jurisdiction listed in your results is "Portland/Multnomah", the address is inside Portland.

If you reside outside the United States, please enter the address of the location where you stayed (hotel, etc) as your residence address, and include your correct address in the narrative section.

You cannot use the online system. Contact the law enforcement agency where the crime happened.

Continue to next question.

Do you know the identity of the suspect(s) involved? (i.e., you know their name or home address)

You cannot use the online system. Please call the City's non-emergency number 503-823-3333.

Continue to next question.

Did the incident involve a firearm or narcotic prescription medication? (e.g., a firearm or prescription drugs were stolen)

You cannot use the online system. Please call the City's non-emergency number 503-823-3333.

Continue to next question.

Did the incident involve the theft of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle crash?
Not including hit & run, which CAN be reported online.

You cannot use the online system. Please call the City's non-emergency number 503-823-3333.

Continue to next question.

Are you reporting a homeless camp?

You cannot use the online system. Please call 311 or use pdxreporter.org to directly connect with the most appropriate city services.

Continue to next question.

Did your crime involve one of the offenses listed below?
Click on an offense to see details/examples.

Someone stole or attempted to steal property from a structure not attached to your home or business such as a shed, detached garage, or storage unit, that was accessed without your permission (someone broke in).
  • Does not matter if structure was locked or not.
  • Do not use for burglary from an attached garage (that is considered as part of a residence)
  • Do not use for burglary from your residence (home, apartment, etc.) or business.
  • Do not use to report stolen firearms or prescription drugs.

    • Example: Burglary to an unattached garage.

    An individual who has been previously trespassed from a business, reenters the same business in violation of the trespass.
  • This report is to be used for businesses only.
  • Submit documentation of the original trespassing incident, listing the personnel who issued the trespass and has "person in charge" authority. Attach any photos, and include any store report or previous trespass paperwork.

    • Example: A previously trespassed shoplifter, reenters a business and is contacted by loss prevention.

    Forged checks or other fraudulent documents.
  • Do not use if loss is over $5000

    • Example: Check is forged & cashed.

    Someone cons or tricks you into giving them your money, personal information, or items.
  • Do not use if loss is over $5000

    • Example: A phone scam where some obtains your social security number (but has not used it to open accounts or file taxes yet).

    Someone used your credit or debit card to make purchases without your permission.
  • Do not use if loss is over $5000

    • Example: Credit card number is used to make a purchase online.

    Someone damaged your property (house, yard, mailbox, etc.) by driving a vehicle into it where no one was injured. You do not know the suspect's name; they left without identifying themselves or exchanging info. Example someone runs into your mailbox with a car and leaves the scene.

  • Call to report if there were injuries or suspect info.
  • Use Hit and Run (Vehicle Damage) to report damage to your car.

    • Example: Someone runs into your mailbox with a car and leaves the scene.

    Someone damaged your vehicle (car, motorcycle, etc.) by driving a vehicle into it where it no one was injured. You do not know the suspect's name; they left without identifying themselves or exchanging info.

  • Call to report if there were injuries or suspect info.
  • Use Hit and Run (Property Damage) to report damage to property other than a car.

    • Example: Someone hits your parked car and leaves the scene.

    Someone used your personal info (e.g., name, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number) to open account.
  • Do not use if loss is over $5000

    • Example: someone opens a credit account or a cell phone account in your name.

    Someone left trash or other items that do not belong to you on your property without your permission.

  • Call to report illegal dumping within the right of way (street or sidewalk)

    • Examples: Garbage bags added to your dumpster or trash can, needles left in your parking lot, human waste in front of business door, mattress dumped on your yard.

    Lost or misplaced property that was not stolen, and the lost items:
  • Do not include firearms
  • Do not include narcotic prescription medication

    • Example: This includes the loss of any personal item such as, wallets, purses, credit cards, identification, and cell phones. Lost Credit Cards, Bank Cards, Driver License, Identification, and Valuables must be entered individually in the Property Information Section with their Serial Numbers.

    A non-employee stole or attempted to steal store merchandise or goods and the offender is not in custody.

  • Shoplifting can only be reported by a business.
  • Do not use to report stolen firearms or prescription drugs.

    • Example: A "beer run" at a convenience store. Enter any suspect information in your narrative. Attach any photos of the shoplift.

    An unknown person who is no longer at the scene was doing unusual things that might indicate they could be planning a crime.

  • You do not know the suspect's name.

    • Example: A person looking through parked vehicle windows or a unknown person is attempting to open a gate to neighbor's yard.

    A vehicle was parked or driven by an unknown person which is no longer at the scene and was doing unusual things that might indicate they could be planning a crime.

    Example: A vehicle repeatably circled the block and slowed down to look at a specific residence.

    Someone stole or attempted to steal from within a building that was open to the public (such as a library, business center) or where the offender has communal/legal access (such as a common area at an apartment complex or office building).
  • Report a burglary if the offender illegally accessed the building (broke in, trespassed, etc.).
  • Do not use to report stolen firearms or prescription drugs.



    • Example: A jacket that is left at a restaurant is stolen.

    Someone stole or attempted to steal from a machine which is operated or activated by the use of coins such as a vending machine or washing machine that is in a place open to the public.

  • Please be prepared to report the value of the items and or coins stolen.

    • Example: Theft of change from a coin-operated laundry machine.

    Someone stole or attempted to steal items (not car parts) from a motor vehicle, whether locked or unlocked.
  • Do not use for stolen car parts or accessories.
  • Do not use for stolen vehicle.
  • Please have serial numbers (if available) for stolen items.
  • Do not use to report stolen firearms or prescription drugs.

    • Examples: Stolen purse, gym bag, money, id card, laptop, dashcam, etc. Attempts to steal can result in damage to windows or locks without items removed from vehicle.

    Theft of US mail from a US mail box, postal carrier, or US postal vehicle.
    Do not include thefts from other package delivery services from a porch, such as from Fed Ex, UPS (use Theft Other)

    Example:Theft of US mail from a mailbox.

    Someone stole or attempted to steal a car part or accessory attached to a motor vehicle. Examples include car radio, catalytic convertor, fuel, etc.

  • Do not use for non-car part items (purse, laptop, etc.)
  • Do not use for stolen vehicle.
  • Do not report stolen license plates.

    • Example: Stolen stereo from a vehicle dashboard.

    Someone stole or attempted to steal items that do not fit into other theft categories. Use this to report bicycle theft (not from inside a building), packages stolen off porch, items stolen from shopping cart in parking, etc.
  • Do not use to report stolen firearms or prescription drugs.
  • Do not include metal in amounts that can be sold as scrap.
  • In the case of stolen wallets/purses: All Credit Cards, Bank Cards, Driver License, and Identification, must be entered individually in the Property Information Section with their Serial Numbers

    • Example: Theft of a bicycle chained outside.

    Intentional damage to property, other than a vehicle, that is not caused by arson (fire), graffiti, or gunfire.
  • Graffiti should be reported to PDXReporter.
  • Please call to report graffiti including hate speech or symbols.
  • Please call to report damage from gunfire or fires.

    • Example:Someone smashed up a mailbox or broke a business window (without attempting entry into business)

    Intentional damage to a vehicle, that is not caused by arson (fire), graffiti, gunfire, or another vehicle.
  • Damage to vehicle caused during car prowl or attempted car prowl should be reported as a Theft from Motor Vehicle.
  • Graffiti should be reported to PDXReporter.
  • Please call to report graffiti including hate speech or symbols.
  • Please call to report damage from gunfire or fires.

    • Examples: Keyed car, slashed tires, smashed mirror, etc.

    To add information to a previously made report such as stolen property details or additional property information. -You must have the case number from the prior report to proceed.

    Example: Adding additional property that wasn't previously known to be stolen.
    Adding a serial number to a stolen bike.


    Did your crime involve one of the offenses listed above?

    You can use the online system.
    Please review the guidelines below before getting started.

    You cannot use the online system.
    Please call the City's non-emergency number 503-823-3333.


    Guidelines for Using the Online Reporting System

    Prepare - The online system gives you 30 minutes to complete your report. If you go beyond this you may get "timed out." To prevent this from happening, make sure that you have everything you need on hand. This includes all of your contact information, the address where the crime happened, and details on any property items involved (e.g., make, model, serial number, estimated value).

    Personal questions - You may find that some questions are not directly applicable to your situation. Others might seem overly personal or intrusive. Please understand that we are obligated to report certain things under state law and our reports must be compatible with the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System.

    Accuracy - Try to document everything as accurately as possible. The data collected from these reports is used to identify patterns and trends in local crime. This helps the Police Bureau develop new strategies for addressing crime and distribute agency resources to the areas of greatest need. As such, your report is of great value to this agency, your neighborhood, and the city more broadly.

    False reporting - The online system should only be used to file official police reports. All submissions will be reviewed by a police officer and filing a false police report is a crime under Oregon law.

    Amending reports - The online system allows you to submit additional property items or supplemental information at a later date if necessary. Please do this as quickly as possible to ensure we have all of the details before finalizing your report.

    What to expect - After submitting your online report, you will be given a temporary incident number. An officer will review the report and send you a final confirmation number to use for insurance purposes if applicable.

    Follow-up - Unfortunately, the crimes reportable through the online system are extremely difficult to solve and stolen property is rarely recovered. As such, you will only be contacted for follow-up if the officer reviewing your report needs additional information or if we have important information to share about the case.

    Video Walk-Through- It is highly recommeded that you watch this video before you start your report.



    Get Started with Your Online Report

    What do you want to do?

    Start a New Police Report

    Add to a Previous Report