MEDIA RELEASE: Santa Cruz Police Make Operational Adjustments In Response To COVID-19

As part of a continued, proactive approach towards slowing the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) implements the following preventative operational protocols.

For SCPD to continue to provide the highest level of safety and service and preserve the health of both police personnel and members of the community, the front lobby of the Santa Cruz Police Department is closed until further notice. "We are implementing the following safety measures and we ask that our community members abide to help protect our police officers and support personnel, so they, in turn, can continue to work hard to protect you," said Chief Mills.

The safety and well-being of our personnel are paramount and necessary to continue to provide emergency services for the community. Therefore, we are temporarily adopting response measures to help ensure everyone's health.

• All requests to obtain police reports can be made via phone ONLY. You can call Records at 831-420-5870.
• Officers may ask to speak with complainants outdoors when possible. We will try and keep a distance of 5-6 feet.
• Officers will have the discretion to handle some complaints by phone.
• Some thefts, frauds, or minor incidents (that are not in progress) may be triage over the phone and determined if an additional in-person response is needed.
• Written statements can be emailed to officers.
• Individuals who are 290 registrants and required by law to check-in with law enforcement.
• Property Release hours are Tuesdays 11 am - 3 pm and Thursday 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

If you require police assistance while at the SCPD building, utilize the intercom phone located next to the main entrance doors to speak with a dispatch operator.

If you can avoid having to summon a police officer, please do so. If your issue can wait, then please hold until this health crisis is over.

If calling for police services while experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever, or respiratory distress, please notify the dispatch operators, so first responders can take any necessary safety precautions before their arrival.

As a reminder, you can file many crime reports online, and we encourage citizens to utilize the online reporting system. General business items will postpone until the immediacy of this crisis subsides.

We apologize for any inconvenience these adjustments may cause. You can support our police, rangers, community service officers, and professional staff by following the above guidelines.

For emergencies, dial 9-1-1. Non-emergency incidents, call 831-471-1131, Visit www.santacruzpolice.com to file a report online.

SCPD remains committed to ensuring the safety of our community while also being mindful of this quickly evolving health crisis.