Alternative reporting methods begin Monday

(Nov. 2012 story)

Starting on Monday, the El Paso Police Department will implement ARM, or Alternative Reporting Methods.

ARM will allow those who are the victims of crimes where there is no evidence or threat to the public to file a police report by telephone or through a website.

This means patrol officers will not be sent out to handle calls for information reports, child custody reports, certain minor thefts and vandalism, and civil matters, among other nonviolent minor crimes.

In a statement sent to ABC-7, spokesman Javier Sambrano stated that the department hopes that ARM will help reduce the number of calls that patrol officers respond to and also allow officers to respond quickly to calls that are in progress.

Those who file a report will still receive a case number, and if necessary, the case will be assigned to a detective for a follow-up.

(Nov. 2012 story)