Law enforcement agencies around the U.S. are changing the ways they respond to service calls to reduce officers’ contact with possible carriers of coronavirus, reports CNN. Some departments are closing their front desks. Many are asking residents to report non-emergency incidents online or over the phone. Los Angeles, for example, is advising the public to send emails to area police stations. “Rest assured, we will still respond to crimes in progress or a crime in need of immediate follow up, as Watch Commanders will dispatch patrol officers to those incidents,” the department said.
The Syracuse, N.Y., Police Department said it would not respond to non-emergency calls, which would instead be directed to its phone or online reporting systems. Arlington County, Va., advised the public to use its online reporting system for incidents including credit card fraud, theft, harassing phone calls, vandalism or vehicle tampering. Departments that have issued similar guidance include Belmont, Ca., Grand Junction, Co., and Ann Arbor, Mi. The Pensacola, Fl., Police Department said on Facebook, “We’re not going to bring germs to you,” saying it would take reports for incidents that didn’t require officers to be physically present over the phone. The department added, “If you NEED us to come to you, we will do that just as we have for almost 200 years. But we’d prefer if you at least put on pants.” When officers do respond in person, many will be following social distancing protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Arlington, Va., police said people who report or witness emergency incidents could be asked to step outside to speak to officers, who might be wearing gloves, masks or goggles.