In the wake of recent budget reductions and staff cutbacks, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is now offering online reporting of certain crimes to residents of Discovery Bay and Oakley.

Reporting some crimes online allows deputies more time for policing, but it comes at the expense of personalized service.

“Our organizational culture demands timely and personal responses to calls from our citizens” said Sheriff Warren E. Rupf. “While the use of this new program reduces personal contact, we must adjust to the debilitating loss of available staff.”

Online reports pertain to non-emergency crimes for which no suspect can be identified: abandoned vehicles, forgery, harassing phone calls, passing of bad checks, trespassing, counterfeiting, fraudulent access of a computer, littering, public nuisance, vandalism, defrauding of an innkeeper, fraudulent use of a credit card, lost property, theft (including identity theft) and fraud. Citizens may submit crime tips and barking-dog complaints, request vacation house checks and report illegal fireworks.

To report a crime online, go to www.cocosheriff.org and click the File Online Report Here link. All reports are reviewed and the approved report will be sent back as an e-mail free of charge.

The online reporting system is not intended for urgent matters. Always call 911 during an emergency.