Crime Check Gets Automated System

Thu., July 20, 2000

From Staff Reports

A new automated Crime Check phone system started up Wednesday.

The system will allow operators to answer calls in the order they were received and to know how many people are on hold.

Under the old system, all calls were answered by an operator who either completed a report or forwarded the call to law enforcement agencies. As calls increased over the years, people were frequently put on hold for long periods of time.

Now callers will hear a recording if all lines are busy. The recording provides options for the caller depending on the nature of the call. Callers may be asked for basic information if they are reporting a crime where the suspect is gone and no one is in danger. An operator will then call the person back when he or she is available.

If a caller hangs up and then redials Crime Check, the second call automatically goes to the bottom of the waiting list.

Crime Check callers are asked to be patient as potential bugs are found and the system is fine-tuned.

The new system will also provide music or public service information while the caller is on hold.

The Crime Check number, 456-2233, is designed only for non-emergencies.

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