The Redwood City Police Department has installed a video chat system on its website. It allows residents to connect with police officers.
Through the system, a user can click on the chat now button and ask a uniformed officer a question.
The system is intended for non-emergency calls and is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
"People call and when they want information on traffic accidents, or they're moving to Redwood City and they want to know the crime rate of a certain area," Officer Diana Villegas said.
Redwood City Police Chief JR Gamez sees the tool as a way to respond to residents and not tie up resources. The video chat is manned by officers on desk duty and not officers that should be on the street.
"If I can have citizens satisfy their needs by calling in and speaking to our video chat officer and relieving an officer to go their homes it would really allow my officers to do more work in maybe more distressed neighborhoods," Gamez said.
The city's program is still in the pilot stage, but the police chief hopes to expand it, making it available 24 hours day, seven days a week.
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