Crime victims across Los Angeles can now file reports in Korean. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), which previously only offered online reporting services in English and Spanish, has started offering this service in Korean as well.

The Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA) announced that after discussions with the LA city government and LAPD, the long-awaited Korean online reporting service was officially launched on October 3. KAFLA had advocated for this service to assist Korean residents in the LA area who faced language barriers when reporting crimes.

The LAPD’s Korean online reporting service can be accessed through the LAPD official website (www.lapdonline.org) by clicking on the "GET SERVICE" menu, then selecting "File A Police Report" from the submenu to reach the online reporting page. Users can also access the page directly via the link (www.lapdonline.org/file-a-police-report/). By clicking on the "Korean" option on this page, users can begin filling out the report in Korean.

According to the LAPD, types of incidents that can be reported online include harassing or annoying phone calls, texts, or emails, hate crimes, hit-and-run incidents, identity theft, lost items, drug-related information, theft, vehicle break-ins, vandalism, traffic accidents, and information related to prostitution. The online reporting page follows a process of selecting the type of incident, answering relevant questions, entering the reporter's details, providing incident specifics, reviewing the report, and then submitting it.

However, the LAPD advises using the phone number (877-275-5273) to report non-emergency situations that require police response. For emergencies or ongoing crimes, they urge people to call 911 immediately. Certain incidents, including hate crimes, electric bicycle theft, electric scooter theft, and electric wheelchair theft, cannot be reported online, and individuals are advised to contact their local police station for assistance.

KAFLA explained that it began seriously advocating for the Korean online reporting service during a public safety forum held in April with LA Mayor Karen Bass and then-Interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi. James An, the president of KAFLA, praised the new service as a significant achievement of Dominic Choi, one of the few high-ranking Korean Americans in the LAPD.

In addition to the online service, since April, KAFLA has worked with the LAPD to introduce Korean translation services at the Olympic Division police station, which oversees Koreatown, improving the convenience of in-person reporting. Volunteer translators assist at the lobby information desk, helping Korean residents with their reports and inquiries. The service has also attracted Korean residents from other areas seeking assistance.

According to KAFLA, between April and September, the LAPD Olympic Division provided a total of 1,491 Korean translation services, averaging around 250 cases per month. James An stated, “With the launch of the online reporting service, the Korean translation services at the Olympic Division will continue. If you are a victim of a crime, please make sure to report it.”

Reporter: Hyungseok Han

<Hyungseok Han>