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1. What can I report online?

You can report the following incidents with an online submission: 

• Custody order violation
• Fraudulent use of credit card
• Harassing phone call (excluding threats of imminent harm)
• Identity theft
• Lost property
• Supplemental report
• Theft (excluding prescription medications)
• Vandalism
• Vehicle burglary

2. What do I do if online reporting is not right for me?

If your incident is an emergency, always call 911. If not, you can call our 24/7 non-emergency line at 805-650-8010 to file a report.

3. What if my incident happened in another city?

If the incident you'd like to report happened outside the City of Ventura, you'll need to contact the police department that has jurisdiction over that city. You cannot file a report with the Ventura Police Department unless your incident occurred in the City of Ventura.

4. What if the incident happened on a freeway?

If the incident you're trying to report happened on a freeway, please call the California Highway Patrol in the city your incident occurred. If the incident occurred on a freeway in the City of Ventura, please contact the CHP Ventura Office at 805-662-2640.

5. The report system asks about a "known suspect." What does that mean?

A known suspect is when you know the person, or where to find the person, who committed the crime. A known suspect could also include someone you don't personally know, but who you have identifying information for, like a license plate number of the vehicle the suspect(s) were in. 

6. If I have stolen item information, should I include that in my report?

Details do matter: If you can locate the model and serial numbers for your lost or stolen property, we can enter it in the national databases. 

Where called for, estimate as best you can the fair market value for the property, or the dollar amount of damage done. For example: if you were filing a vandalism report you should be as specific as possible within the narrative section:

• "My car was damaged" is not an acceptable description of events. 
• This is a better description: "My car was damaged and it looks like someone used a key to scratch the car from the front and down along the side rear panel. They also smashed the back windshield."

7. What if the information I want to report isn't an option?

We've provided all the allowable choices in the drop-downs and outlines. If the information you have doesn't fit, then you cannot report it online. Certain fields are mandatory entries that require input before we can file the form. If you cannot complete your online report, please give our 24/7 non-emergency line a call at 805-650-8010.

8. How do I know if my report has been received?

Upon submission of your report you will receive a notification email letting you know your report has been received. 

Our staff checks and reviews incoming reports daily. If all the necessary information is provided, the report will be accepted into our database and you will receive a report number via email, along with a link and/or attachment to the report. If information is missing, or your report narrative is incomplete, you will be contacted via email and requested to submit additional information.