If someone has made a bomb threat or similar threat to your location, move to a safe place quickly. Make an effort to evacuate others if it seems possible to do so—for example, by pulling the fire alarm or notifying building security. Try to stay on the phone with the operator until the police arrive. They’ll do what they can to comfort you and help you remain calm. Do what you can to assure your own safety as well as the safety of your loved ones—particularly if they’ve also been threatened. For example, if the person threatened to kill you and your family, you might need to make some phone calls to let your family members know about the threat. If you’re in a situation where you can’t talk to the operator, call 911 and leave the line open. Don’t call and hang up, or they’re going to call you right back, which could draw unwanted attention to you. [4] X Expert Source Saul Jaeger, MSPolice Captain, Mountain View Police Department Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.
For example, if someone threatens you online, but you know they don’t live near you or aren’t capable of hurting you immediately, use the non-emergency number. Threats to property aren’t typically considered emergencies either, unless it’s something like a bomb threat that might involve catastrophic damage or loss of life. For example, if someone threatens to break your car windows and slash your tires, that’s not considered an emergency. Some police departments might have several different non-emergency numbers. Just pick the one that best corresponds to your location and situation.
The officer might ask you for additional information about yourself, such as your gender or age. Typically, this information is used for statistical purposes.
Tell the officer all the different ways in which the person threatened you. For example, if they threatened you on social media and called or texted you, tell the officer about all of these instances. If you know the person who is threatening you, tell the officer about your current or previous relationship with the person. For example, you might’ve dated the person in the past or they might be a member of your family.
Typically, you’ll have to sign the notes drafted by the officer. Read them over carefully to make sure they’re accurate and let the officer know if anything’s incorrect. If your report is assigned to a detective for investigation, that detective will likely reach out to you as well.
Save your police report for your records. If a detective was assigned to your case, get their name and contact information so you can call them directly if the person threatens you again.
Generally, you should report the threats where they occur. However, this applies to the city as a whole—not individual precincts. So, for example, if you live in Los Angeles, you can generally use the most convenient police station, even if you received the threats on the other side of town.
In many cities, you also have the option of having an officer dispatched to your location to take the report. If you use this option, you might be waiting for a while before the officer arrives, particularly on busy days. [12] X Research source
The officer might ask you questions to learn more information about the situation. Answer all questions as completely and truthfully as you can, even if they don’t seem relevant to you. The more information you can give the more the police will have to go on. At the same time, if you don’t know something, just say so—don’t guess, assume, or make something up. If you have screencaps, text messages, phone records, emails, or other evidence of the threats, offer those to the officer. They might take your originals or make copies of them.
Read the officer’s notes carefully before you sign the report. If you see anything that’s incorrect or inaccurate, speak up!
For example, if the person threatens you again, call the police non-emergency number and tell them you have additional information to add to a report you filed. Give them the report number and they’ll update the report. When you get your copy of the report, ask if a detective has been assigned to your case. If they have, get their name and contact information so you can reach out to them directly if you need to.
In the wake of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many police departments accept online reports on a wider range of issues than they usually do. However, different departments have their own rules regarding the types of crime you can report online.
For example, if you’re receiving online threats, you might not have a lot of information about the identity of the person threatening you. But police will find their screen name, photos, names of friends, and any other identifying information useful. Some online report forms allow you to attach digital files. If you have screencaps or copies of emails or other communication from the person who threatened you, attach those. If there’s no option to attach files, simply include a line letting police know you have that evidence available. The police department typically issues a temporary report number for you to use until the final report is created. Use that number if you need to change or update anything in your report.
Typically, the police will send an email to the email address you provided with your online report to let you know when the written report is ready. They might also attach a digital copy of the report to the email.
Since the IC3 doesn’t collect evidence, keep any screen caps, emails, or other evidence you’ve gathered in a safe place. An investigating officer might want to see these later. The IC3 processes your report and sends it out to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. If you’ve provided contact information, an officer investigating the threats might reach out to you.
