City of Loveland
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The Loveland Police Department is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life within our community, in part by providing our residents with information about scams, frauds, crime, and safety. Most topics include links to State, Federal, and Local sites which contain resources and current best practices. These organizations will either be government agencies or local groups with whom we partner. We do not currently endorse sites which require payment for services.
"The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence." - Sir Robert Peel
Lock Box Program
Loveland residents who are disabled or bedridden, or who have a medical condition and may not make it to the door in an emergency, are eligible to sign a release form and provide a house key to store in a City of Loveland lock box. The Lock Box Program helps reduce the risk of police officers, paramedics, and firefighters needing to damage a home when they are trying to get inside and help the occupants during an emergency. The lock box code is kept securely at the Loveland Police Dispatch Center, and in an emergency, the code is provided to emergency personnel to access the key to the residence. Please contact the Community Education Specialist at 970-962-2229 for more information or to request a lock box.
Neighborhood Lookout Program
Video surveillance can be very helpful in solving crimes, identifying persons, and provided evidence in court. If you would like to join our Neighborhood Lookout Camera Program by voluntarily registering the location of your surveillance cameras with the Loveland Police Department, please find additional info and register your camera here.
Community Education & Safety Resources
The Loveland Police Department estimates that around 200 bicycles are recovered annually in our city. Many of these bikes are stolen, but the thefts were not reported.
Some bikes are stolen to sell or part out. Others are simply crimes of opportunity where a thief will take your bike from your open garage or your front yard to get from point A to point B. Unfortunately, many never make it back to their owners.
Please use these suggestions to help deter the theft of your bicycle or to help in its recovery if it is stolen.
- Use a reliable U-lock or heavy cable lock.
- Try to lock your bike to a fixed, immovable object.
- Be careful whom you loan your bike to.
- Keep your bikes in your garage and your garage closed.
- Please help us by taking a picture of your bicycle.
- Record the serial numbers and keep the serial numbers.
- Engrave an owner applied number such as your driver’s license number on your bicycle.
- The Loveland Police Department has a found bicycle pen.
To make a bicycle theft report, please call the non-emergency number 970-667-2151.
Did you know that if you can break into your home so can burglars? Two examples are an unlocked window or an extra key hidden under the welcome mat.
For a small investment of time and/or money, you can help protect your family and home from burglary. www.ncpc.org
Tips to help secure your home:
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Don’t leave a key under doormat or in a mailbox. Give your spare to a trusted neighbor.
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Use a secondary lock or wooden dowel to secure sliding glass doors and windows by placing the dowel in the track.
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If you move into a new house or apartment, have the locks changed.
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Make sure all external doors have a well-installed deadbolt lock with a reinforcing metal strike plate.
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Always keep the garage door closed and locked.
Check the outside:
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Maintain your yard by trimming shrubbery so it doesn’t hide doors or windows.
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Cut back tree limbs so a thief could not use them to climb into windows or on the roof.
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Install outdoor lighting to help illuminate entrances and areas of your yard. Consider lighting with motion sensors or timers.
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Report inoperative street lights to City of Loveland Water and Power or request a street light.
Check the doors:
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Install exterior doors that are solid core or metal.
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Make sure exterior doors fit tightly in their frames, install weather stripping around them if there is a gap.
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Install a peephole or wide angle viewer in your entry door to verify who is on the other side.
Additional tips and considerations:
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Consider an alarm. Check with several alarm companies and decide what level of security fits your needs.
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Check with your insurance company to assess your coverage for theft and damage.
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If you rent consider theft insurance.
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Take pictures or video of your belongings and record any serial numbers or owner applied numbers if available. Keep these records in a safe place. Click here for a printable version of an inventory form.
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Work with your neighbors to watch your neighborhood.
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If you are going on vacation, have a neighbor or friend collect your mail and papers. You may also schedule a Vacation Home Check. Call 970-962-2246.
For additional tips visit:
Here are some suggestions to help your car from being targeted:
Lock your car and roll up the windows. Criminals often check for an unlocked car.
Park your car in a well lit area. Criminals like to stay in the shadows.
To report a broken street light or to request a street light click here.
Keep your valuable items from view. Criminals may break a window to steal your valuables if they can see them.
Install an alarm system.
Keep a complete description, take pictures and record serial numbers of your stereo system. This may help in the recovery of your items if they are stolen.
Check with your insurance company for more crime prevention tips.
To report suspected human trafficking or child sexual exploitation locally, call the Loveland Police Department, 1-970-667-2151
To report suspected human trafficking or the importation of good produced with forced labor to federal law enforcement, call the HSI Tip Line 1-866-347-2423 or visit ice.gov/tips
To report suspected human trafficking anonymously in Larimer County, call Crime Stoppers at 1-970-221-6868 or submit a tip at crimestopperslarimer.org
To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to 233733 (BEFREE).
To report child sexual exploitation, contact the Cyber Tipline on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) website report.cybertip.org
To report suspected Forced Labor Trade Violations submit information at eallegations.cbp.gov/home/allegation
If you are under 18 and a victim of child exploitation, visit takeitdown.ncmec.org. This is a free service that helps minors take down their explicit photos online.
For educational and awareness materials, visit the DHS Blue Campaign dhs.gov/bluecampaign
Identity theft is a crime that has grown quickly since the 1990’s and is currently America's fastest growing crime. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that identity theft strikes nearly 9 million Americans a year.
Identity thieves can gain your information in a number of ways. Many will steal a purse or wallet, others go through your trash and steal your mail looking for checks, credit card receipts and bank statements, and still others use the internet to gain personal information. They use phone schemes to try and obtain any personal information that can be used to steal your identity. A thief will use some piece of your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.
Common schemes that involves the Internet or telephone are called Phishing (pronounced “fishing”). Phishing usually starts by email or telephone contact. The person will warn you of a problem that needs your attention. Some of the phrases used may be “Immediate attention required,” or “Please contact us immediately about your account.” The person will claim to be from a reputable, recognizable organization. If this is by email, they may want you to click on a button to go to the institutions web site. The Web site or representative on the phone is probably not genuine. In either case, you may be asked to update your account information or to provide information for verification purposes; SS number, your account number, your password, or the information you use to verify your identity when speaking to a real financial institution, like your mother’s maiden name.
For more information visit the Attorney General's Office
Here are some tips that can help minimize your risk:
- Never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited request whether over the phone or over the Internet. Remember, if they contact you, give NO information. If they are contacting you they should already have that information!
- If you are going to discard any statements or out of date documents, shred them with a diamond cut shredder.
- Guard your mail and trash from theft. Remove mail from your mailbox promptly after delivery and deposit outgoing mail in a post office collection box close to collection time or at the post office.
- Don’t give out any personal information through the mail, over the phone or internet unless you initiated the contact or are sure you know who you are dealing with.
- Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place while at work or play and never leave them in your vehicle unattended.
- Check your credit reports at least once a year. This is a free service provided by the credit bureaus.
- Before giving out personal information, ask the requestor why they need it. If they cannot answer why then they might not truly need it.
How can I tell if I’ve become a victim?
- Pay attention to your billing cycles. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account.
- Items appear on your credit card or bank statement that you did not purchase.
- Your bank contacts you to inform you of a possible fraud.
- Check your credit reports frequently for discrepancies.
What should I do if I become a victim of identity theft?
Notify your bank and Credit Card Companies immediately.
File a report with your local police department. The Loveland Police Department non emergency line is 970-667-2151.
Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert.
Equifax: 800-525-6285
Experian: 888-397-3742
TransUnion: 800-680-7289
Scammers are consistently adding new twists to old scams or they use technology to make the scam more believable. The one thing that never changes: scammers want your money.
So how do you know it is a scam? It could be a scam if:
- Pressured to respond quickly.
- Grammatical or spelling mistakes.
- Is the deal too good to be true?
- Using scare tactics to pay a fine, fee, or warrant.
- Asked to wire money or buy gift/prepaid cards.
- Overpayment by check and told to wire the difference.
- Request access to your computer.
- Request to pay a fee to release or secure funds.
- Phone rings once and no message left.
- Unexpected request for money or personal information.
- Asked to pay upfront.
- Robocalls.
According to the Department of Justice, the following are some of the most common types of Internet fraud:
Identity theft and fraud - These involve wrongfully obtaining and using of someone else’s personal data in some way that involve fraud or deception. One example of a specific Identity theft scheme would be “Phishing”. For more information on Phishing check our Identity Theft page or at the Attorney Generals Office.
Auction and retail Schemes - These claim to offer high-end products and, once payment is received, they don’t deliver the product or deliver counterfeit or altered goods.
Business opportunities - These advertise opportunities to earn thousands of dollars a month in “work-at-home” ventures. They usually require customers to pay a fee for starting materials or information, which never arrive.
Dating Scams - Millions of Americans use dating sites, social networking sites, and chat rooms to meet people, often forging forge successful relationships. But scammers also use these sites to meet potential victims, creating fake profiles to build online relationships, and eventually convincing people to send money in the name of love. An online love interest who asks for money is almost certainly a scam artist.
How to Recognize a Scam Artist
The relationship may not be what you think, especially if your sweetheart wants to leave the dating site immediately and use personal email or DM; claims love in a heartbeat; claims to be from the U.S., but is traveling or working overseas; plans to visit, but is prevented by a traumatic event or a business deal gone sour. Scammers also like to say they’re out of the country for business or military service.
What You Can Do About It
You may lose your heart, but you don’t have to lose your shirt, too. Don’t wire money to cover travel, medical emergencies, hotel bills, hospital bills for a child or other relative, visas and official documents, or losses from a financial setback.
Don’t send money to tide someone over after a mugging or robbery, and don’t do anyone a favor by making an online purchase or forwarding a package to another country. One request leads to another, and delays and disappointments will follow. In the end, the money will be gone along with the person you thought you knew.
Wiring money to someone is the same as sending cash. Once it’s gone, it can’t be recovered. If you send money, make the decision knowing you may never see it again.
Internet Predators use chat rooms, messaging, and emailing to gain information about our children or to try to have a child meet them in person. To minimize the chances of this happening, parents can do the following:
- Keep the computer in a public area in your home and monitor your child’s computer use.
- Monitor the amount of time and time of day your child is on the Internet.
- Make sure your child does not give out information over the Internet such as name, address, school they attend or teachers’ names that would lead a person to find your child.
Please visit the following links for more information:
Online Security
Internet Crime Complaint Center
Seniors are specifically targeted for various reasons. Research has shown some of the reasons are that seniors often have a “nest egg”, are trusting, live alone and have a fixed income. Unfortunately, there are people who focus on our older citizens.
Some of the most common crimes against our seniors involve fraud and con artists. One of the types of fraud is Consumer Fraud. This usually involves false claims, misrepresentation, overcharging, or failure to deliver goods. An example would be a subject that claims to have extra material left over from a roofing job. The subject tells the victim they can roof their house for a good price. The victim gives the subject a down payment and the subject never returns to complete the job. For more information on Consumer Fraud visit Consumer Sentinel.
Con Artists use schemes to con seniors out of their money. Here are two examples of the Lottery Scheme.
The Lottery Ticket Scam involves a con artist that approaches an individual claiming to have a winning lottery ticket but cannot collect the money because he/she is from a foreign country. The victim is offered the winning ticket, which is actually forged, for a sum of cash. After the victim gives the cash for the forged winning ticket, the con artist disappears.
The Foreign Lottery Scam sends an official-looking letter from people claiming to be lottery managers. Winners are asked to keep quiet because of some “mix-up of some of the numbers” or other excuse and are urged to contact a claims agent overseas. When they do they are asked to send money to cover the administrative cost or taxes and to provide some personal financial information.
Seniors can use the following tips for deterring Cons and Fraud:
- Don’t fall for anything that sounds too good to be true.
- Never give out any credit card, social security, or bank account number to anyone over the phone or on the Internet unless you know the person or organization with whom you are dealing.
- Don’t let anyone rush you into signing anything until you or someone you trust has reviewed it.
- Be cautious of contractors that solicit business door to door.
- If you are suspicious, check it out with the police.
Please visit these links for more information:
In Colorado, auto theft is an ever-growing problem. Cars that are stolen are in some cases recovered with no damage, and in other cases cars are taken to chop shops or out of country for resale.
Here are some tips to discourage criminals from stealing your car:
Lock your car.
Never leave your car unattended while it is running.
Never hide a second set of keys in the vehicle. Extra keys can be found if the thief takes time to look.
Store a spare key in your wallet.
Install an Anti-Theft device such as a kill switch, fuel shut-off or alarm system. Most insurance companies provide Ant-Theft information. Check with your insurance company for current best practices.
Please visit the following for more information: Coloradans Against Auto Theft
Advice on Active Shooter Situations
In the wake of the tragic incidents in our nation over the last few years, I have the unfortunate but important task of ensuring that you know how to respond in the unlikely event that you ever encounter a situation with the potential for shooting violence in the City of Loveland.
An active shooter situation is unpredictable and your immediate response depends on a variety of circumstances. The following guidelines have been developed based on the best practices established by members of the Loveland Police Department and other law enforcement officials.
If it is possible to do so safely, exit the building immediately when you become aware of an incident, moving away from the immediate path of danger, and take the following steps:
- Stay calm and notify anyone you may encounter to exit the building immediately.
- Evacuate to a safe area away from the danger, and take protective cover. Stay there until assistance arrives.
- Call 911, which will connect you with highly trained dispatchers, providing the following information:
- Your name
- Location of the incident (be as specific as possible)
- Number of shooters (if known)
- Identification or description of shooter(s)
- Number of persons who may be involved
- Your exact location
- Injuries to anyone, if known
Individuals not immediately impacted by the situation should take protective cover, staying away from windows and doors until notified otherwise.
If you are directly involved in an incident and exiting the building is not possible, the following actions are recommended:
- Go to the nearest room or office.
- Close and lock the door. If you cannot lock the door, place large objects in front of the door to act as a barrier (ie. office furniture, large printers, boxes, etc).
- Turn off the lights.
- Seek protective cover. This may be under a desk or table or anywhere else that offers some concealment.
- Keep quiet and act as if no one is in the room.
- Silence all cell phones.
- Do not answer the door.
- Notify 911, if it is safe to do so, providing each dispatcher with the following information:
- Your name
- Location of the incident (be as specific as possible)
- Number of shooters (if known)
- Identification or description of shooter(s)
- Number of persons who may be involved
- Your exact location
- Injuries to anyone, if known
Wait for law enforcement officers to assist you out of the building.
Additional Resources:
Guide Outdoor/Public Areas
Guide Commercial Buildings
Booklet
Pocket Card
Poster
Homeland Security Terrorism Threats
Reporting threats is an important part of homeland security
Terrorists try to promote their beliefs by:
- threatening and committing violence
- disrupting daily life
- creating uncertainty, panic and fear
Our government is working hard to defend our homeland by preventing and responding to terrorism threats. You can help through vigilance and common sense. You can make a difference by reporting suspicious activities and materials to the proper authorities.
Awareness and reason are your best defenses against terrorism threats.
- Be sensitive to your surroundings. Calmly take in what is happening, who is there, and anything that seems out of place.
- Know and follow all security procedures. For example, check the identity of visitors to your work place. Understand what precautions to take for the type of work you do, and how to report anything suspicious.
- Recognize potential targets. Be alert in your community, or wherever you might be.
- Balance Vigilance with respect for others’ rights. People of all cultures, religions and ethnic groups deserve respect.
- Use caution to protect your safety. Report your observations without drawing a suspect’s attention.
Targets of terrorism may include:
- Symbols of a nation, city or institution, such as government buildings, financial districts, major monuments, tourist attractions or other landmarks.
- Utilities: power plants, water supplies, etc.
- Transportation systems: hospitals, police stations, fire stations, military bases
- Special events facilities: indoor arenas or stadiums
- Communications systems: phone and internet services, computer networks, mail delivery services.
Be aware of strange behavior, but don’t take matters into your own hands.
Alert your supervisor, the police, or sheriff if a person:
- seems to be hiding something, such as a package or weapon
- tries to enter a facility or use a vehicle without the required credentials
- seeks access to restricted areas or supplies such as
- water wells at food processing plants
- municipal reservoirs
- chemicals, fertilizers or other hazardous materials
- hangs around a facility or drives past it again and again
- leaves a possession such as a briefcase, suitcase or package-in a place that might be a target
Provide as many details as you can, such as the person’s gender, build, estimated age, clothing and directions of travel.
Spotting strange letters and packages
Be suspicious if an envelope or package:
- has no return address or one that makes no sense
- is supposedly from a business, but is address by hand
- is unexpected-especially if it arrived from abroad or by special delivery
- has excessive postage
- has common words misspelled
- smells odd
- is unevenly shaped or unusually heavy for its size
- shows signs of leaks or stains
- has wires sticking out
- makes a ticking, buzzing or sloshing noise
Remain calm; remember that suspicious mail may be a hoax. To be safe:
- Do not open or shake the item.
- Isolate the item in a sealed plastic bag or other container. If a container is not available, cover the item with paper, clothing or and empty trash can.
- Call the police or sheriff.
If an opened item contains a powder or chemical, leave the item in its place. Do not move it or bring it to show others.
- Leave the immediate area.
- Do not touch your mouth or face.
- Make sure all who have touched the item wash their hands with soap and water
- Call the police or sheriff
If you think an item contains a bomb, evacuate the building at once.
- Do not use a radio or cell phone near the item.
- Call the police or sheriff
For more information, contact:
- Local or state department of public health
- Centers for Disease Control Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Site
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Office of Homeland Security
Trust your instincts and take steps to stay safe and calm.
The publisher has taken care in the preparation of this information, it does not necessarily describe particular situations you may encounter. You should ask a qualified expert or professional for advice about your particular situation.
Information taken from pamphlets provided by: Connecticut Clearinghouse (A library and Resource Center on Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drugs, Mental Health and Wellness) (800) 232-4424
Resources for Parents and Students
Below are links to state, federal and local sites which contain updated resources, current best practices and associated links. These organizations will either be government agencies or local groups with whom we partner. Additionally, there are several national organization links that you might find useful. We do not currently endorse sites which require payment for services.
We are offering these topics because they relate to the questions or requests for service that we receive most often. If you have any comments or questions about this site or suggestions about the information presented in these pages, please contact us.
Through education, enforcement and collaborative efforts with our schools, students, parents, the courts and our community, our School Resource Officer program strives to provide a safe environment where our children can learn and grow. We follow the National Association of School Resource Officers ‘triad’ model and act as educators and informal counselors while still maintaining our role as law enforcement officers. Officers assigned to our schools help bridge the gap between law enforcement and students in order to increase positive attitudes toward law enforcement and reduce juvenile crime.
Safety Skills for Kids
We hope that all kids pass through childhood without ever experiencing physical or emotional harm. As a parent, one of your responsibilities is to teach your children how to protect themselves and respond to threatening situations. As law enforcement, we have a similar responsibility. It's important to always listen to your children's fears and feelings about people or places that scare them or make them feel uncomfortable.
The Basics:
- Make sure your child knows their full name, address, and phone number. Teach them how to make emergency calls from home and public phones.
- Show them safe places they can go to in an emergency, like a neighbor's house or a fire/police station.
- Tell them never to accept gifts or rides from someone they don't know well. Stay away from strangers!
- Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard and ask for help if you become separated in a store or shopping mall. Tell them never to go into the parking lot alone.
- Accompany your children to public restrooms.
- Teach them that no one, not even someone they know, has the right to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. Tell them they have a right to say "No."
At School and Play:
- Make sure your children are taking the safest route to school and friends' houses.
- Encourage them to walk and play with friends, not alone, and to stay in well-lighted, open areas where others can see them.
- Teach them to walk confidently and stay alert to what's going on around them.
- Encourage them to look out for other kids' safety and report anything they see that doesn't seem right.
- Tell them to stay away from strangers who hang around playgrounds, public restrooms, and empty buildings. Stay away from strangers!
At Home Alone:
- Make sure your kids can reach you by telephone at work. They should have your number and an emergency contact’s phone number memorized and not just stored in their phone.
- Have them check in with you at work or with a neighbor when they get home.
- Work out an escape plan in case of fire. Arrange a special meeting place to meet at once everyone is out of the home.
- Tell them to never open the door to a stranger.
- Make sure they know how to work the door and window locks and that they use them when they are inside alone.
Whereas these are merely guidelines, the important thing to remember is to keep an open and honest exchange of information between yourself and your children.
For additional information visit Safe Kids Worldwide.
We think most parents would agree that raising children is one of the most rewarding and challenging “jobs” there is. Throughout the year we receive numerous requests for information about parenting. We have compiled a list of resources that we hope you will find helpful as you look for activities, ideas, and other agencies that may be able to help in your role as a parent. You can call 2-1-1 or visit their website for additional resource information.
When clicking the links below you are leaving the City of Loveland's web site. The links are maintained by other public and/or private organizations. Please be aware that we do not control or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this outside information and assume no liability related to your accessing the links provided.
Youth Activities:
- 4H Council
- Scouting
- Big Brothers/Sisters of America
- Boys & Girls Club of America
- City of Loveland Parks & Recreation
- Girl Scouts of Colorado
Larimer Behavioral Health Resources:
Parenting/Family Resources:
Our children are often more savvy and experienced online than we are. The internet has become an easy means of communication for them but it also exposes them to new risks that many parents didn’t face growing up. Please take the time to protect yourself and your family from these risks by using the following guidelines and visiting the sites provided below.
- Educate yourself.
- Talk to your child about the risks of being on-line.
- Place your computer in an open area that is frequented by the entire family.
- Pay attention to what your child does while on-line.
- Use parental controls/monitoring.
- Make rules such as these for your child’s internet use.
- Never give out or post their personal information.
- Never agree to meet someone they meet on-line.
- Never post or send photographs to people they don’t know.
- Never respond to and tell a parent about inappropriate or harassing messages.
- Report suspicious and criminal activity.
- Contact your local Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- Cybertipline.com
- Loveland Police Department (970) 667-2151.
Resources
School Safety 1-877-542-SAFE
As School Resource Officers, one of our primary responsibilities is to assist school personnel, parents, and students in maintaining a safe environment for your children to learn. If there are concerns you have about your student’s safety at school, please contact the School Administration or your School Resource Officer.
If you feel uncomfortable making a report directly to school personnel or your school resource officer please contact Safe2Tell. They can provide the information to us through a confidential reporting system.
Larimer County Crime Stoppers
Larimer Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization of citizens against crime. Larimer Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards up to $2,000 to anyone furnishing anonymous information that leads to the arrest of criminals, including those committing serious felony crimes, and fugitives. | Visit Larimer Crime Stoppers website
Crime Statistics
Crime Mapping provides information about LPD crimes by type or location. The customizable reporting system displays an initial map with icons indicating types and locations of reported crimes. The date range and search radius can be adjusted using the Filters section to the left of the map, as well as the type of crime. Once these parameters are set, the data can also be viewed in either a list or graph format.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation provides crime statistics about specific types of crimes, searchable by specific jurisdiction, or across the state of Colorado.
Registered Sex Offenders
The Colorado sex offender registry includes those person who have been required by law to register and who are in compliance with the sex offender registration laws. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation provides the option to search by registrant name or location, as well as educational information about protection from sex offenders. Additional information can be found at Sex Offender Tracking and Registration, a registry resource provided by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your interest in the Loveland Police Department. We hope you will find useful information in the links we have provided. Please note that we are not accepting requests to add business postings/links on our website at this time.