As part of our ongoing effort to prevent crime in the community, members of the San Carlos Police Department have developed a series of educational presentations. These presentations are made to service clubs, schools and community groups in San Carlos. To expand the usefulness of this material, we are now bringing this material to the Internet. We hope you find helpful and of interest.-- Greg Rothaus, Police Chief, City of San Carlos

Keeping the Crime Rate Low

The key to keeping crime rate low in San Carlos is: REPORT, REPORT, REPORT. If the Police Department does not know that crimes have been committed, they will assume there are no problems in our neighborhoods or anywhere else.

How to Report A Crime

• If it is a "crime in progress", call 911.
• If you discover a crime in San Carlos after it has happened, call (650) 802-4277.
• Do not use your alarm unless someone is in your home or place of business, threatening you by use of "force of fear". They may or may not be armed.
• Answer all the questions the Police Dispatcher asks. If possible have a general description of the individual(s) including height, hair color, clothing.
• If the individual(s) get into a vehicle note the color and make and license plate number if possible. Note the direction the person takes either in a car or on foot. Police cars will immediately have been sent to the area and will be looking for the person(s).
• Write down what happened while it is fresh in your mind. Date the note. A police officer will respond calling upon you for additional details.

The Importance of Following Through

It is important that you follow through with your call. You will have to file a complaint and if the individual is caught, you may have to go to court. (Nine of ten cases will never go to court, but will be settled on some level of plea bargaining.)

Good Reporting Lowers The Crime Rate

Our police department is conviced, that due to good reporting, both street vendors and shoplifting has been decreased in San Carlos. Be alert to crime, do not tolerate it, and report it immediately. Keep up the good work!

Acknowledgement

The following information was provided by the San Carlos Police Department and the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce. We appreciate their help in the preparation of this material and their permission to make it available to members of the public via the Internet.