How to Tips: Should I File a Police Report?

Most Police Departments have a Crime Analyst who studies the crime maps and are able to recognize “crime patterns “and it becomes obvious where crimes will occur next.  Once it is determined where the next crimes will occur all Police resources will be sent to those areas and deters crime before it happens. 

Insurance / Tax purposes

You may not have any information or follow up about the suspect who committed the crime against you so you may want to make a Police report for Insurance or tax reasons only.  Most Insurance Companies will require a Police report to begin a claim.

Ask your Tax man about any tax deduction you may be able to get due to the loss.

You are not required to file a Police Report 

It is you civil right not to have to report a crime.  Some will argue that you have a moral obligation to report a crime but you must decide.  You do have a choice.

If you are truly unsure what to do it is advised that you call your local Police Department and discuss the matter with a professional Police Officer.  You can simply explain your concern and then decide whether or not to file a report.

Civil Cases

Some cases simply are not a Police matter or criminal in nature therefore you do not make a Police report.  If you try then the Police will turn you away and explain to you that your case is civil. 

Civil cases usually involve suing someone or getting a restraining order or attempting to solve your problem rationally with the other party involved.

Common sense

If your car is involved in a ‘Hit and Run’ traffic accident and the damage is minor first check to see what your Insurance deductable is.  If there is $500.00 dollars worth of damage and your deductable is a $1,000.00 dollars then there isn’t a need to file a report.

In Conclusion

Crime is a major concern for all of us.  As crime occurs and we become victims deciding whether or not to call the Police and make an official report is a choice.

You may want to think about how not reporting the crime will affect you or your neighborhood.

You also may want to think if it is worth the trouble or what the repercussions ‘of’ reporting the crime would be.  Will the ramifications of reporting the crime be worth the hassle or the retaliation that may be taken upon you or will the time spent in court testifying against the perpetrator be worth your time.

Warnings

Never try to take the Law into your own hands.

Be a good witness and use the system to fight your fight for you and let Justice prevail.

This article also posted on Bukisa.com and Triond.com by Scott Hallock