Midland Police Department Chief Seth Herman wants to continue protecting the community, but COVID-19 is changing the way he and his officers are doing that.
The police department is handling more issues over the phone and through a new police-to-citizen online reporting system, Herman told the Midland Reporter-Telegram recently.
The reporting system allows city residents to report non-emergency incidents easily—incidents that don't involve any injuries or that don't require an officer to be sent to the crime's location.
Herman said residents must continue to do their part to help stop the spread of the virus.
The department has seen an increase in juvenile crime, as well as the number of violent situations between family members, Herman said. He also noted burglary of vehicles has been a major issue.