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Dispatch
Big Horn County Dispatch Center is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is the Public Safety Answering Point for Enhanced 9-1-1 for Big Horn County. The dispatch center utilizes Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems provided by Sunridge Software Systems.
Reporting a Crime
Many citizens have the misconception that reporting a crime - in person - at the Sheriff’s Office will get them faster service. This is not necessarily the case.
The Deputies are assigned to patrol a zone or section of the County. When a person walks into the Sheriff’s Office to report a crime, the deputy has to be called in to take their report.
Calls for an officer to report to the Police Station to take a report from a citizen are considered "cold" calls, as opposed to "in-progress" calls and take much longer for the officer to respond to. In some case, a citizen will end up waiting hours for the officer to get free from an "in-progress" call in order to respond to their "cold" call.
For the citizen's comfort and convenience, Sheriff’s Office staff recommends that calls to dispatch to report any crime ("in-progress" or "cold") be done from their home or, if necessary, their work location. That way, a citizen can wait for the officer to respond while continuing on with their day.
Please be aware that "in-progress" calls will always take priority over a "cold" call.
Crime Prevention Tips
- Bicycle Theft
- Burglary Prevention
- Car Prowler
- Crime Stoppers
- Package/ Mail Theft
- Personal Safety Tips
- Vehicle Theft
- Never leave your bike unlocked and makes sure the lock is properly secured
- Secure the wheels and frame
- When possible leave bikes in well-traveled areas
- Secure bikes inside when storing them at home if possible
- Keep a record of your bike serial number, photos, or other identifiable marks
- Entry points: Identify which entrances are hidden/out of view of your neighbors
- Determine where you could enter without too much difficulty and secure these locations.
- Exterior doors should be strong enough to withstand force.
- All exterior doors should be secured with a deadbolt lock that has a minimum one-inch throw with heavy duty strike plates and frames anchored to the homes main construction.
- All exterior doors should fit snugly against the frame and all frames should be free of warping, cracks, and other signs of wear and tear.
- Solid core wood, metal or other reinforced doors, reinforced door jams or jam braces..
- The main entrance door should have a doorwide-angle (180 degree)viewer/peephole.
- Sliding glass doors and windows should be secure against forcing the locks or from being lifted completely out of the frame.
- High-risk windows (basement, garage, ground-level, partially or totally secluded, latched, etc.) should be secured sufficiently enough to discourage or impede possible intrusion.
- Double-hung windows should be secured with pins or extra locks to discourage prying.
- Trees and shrubs should be trimmed to allow visibility along the perimeter (particularly entries) of the house.
- Timers (both interior and exterior) should be installed to activate lights in your absence.
- All entrances (doors and windows) to your home should be well lit at night.
- Your address should be posted on your house and be clearly visible from the street both night and day.
- Motion sensor lighting, specifically directed and focused on entry points and vulnerable areas, no flood lighting and beware of light trespass.
- Do not leave any valuables in plain sight
- If valuables must be left behind, hide them out of sight before parking the vehicle
- Use of audible alarms can be effective
- Do not leave garage door openers in an unattended vehicle
- Choose parking spaces with good light and visibility
You can anonymously provide information about a crime by contacting our Crime Stoppers tip line at 406-665-9800.
- Do not send cash in the mail
- Deposit mail in a mail slot vs. leaving it unattended awaiting pickup
- Pick up mail promptly
- Fill out change of address forms
- Put a stop on mail while out of town
- Track shipments online
- Choose a shipping option that requires a signature
- Choose a shipping location with a person available to receive
- Install a locking bin that cannot be removed where packages can be safely deposited.
- Pay attention to your surroundings
- Stay off your phone when going somewhere
- If you have headphones make sure you can still hear outside noises
- Keep your personal belongings such as backpacks, purses, etc., close to you or on your person
- Do not display valuable items (e.g., Iphone, cash)
- When using an ATM choose a location that is well lit and in a busy area
- Plan your route and stick to areas you feel safe
Many auto thefts are crimes of opportunity and take less than a minute to happen. Leaving vehicles running or spare keys inside greatly increases the chances of having a vehicle stolen.
- Keep vehicles locked with windows secured
- Do not keep keys in the vehicle
- Do not leave the vehicle running un-attended
- Park in well lit areas with good visibility
- Do not leave valuables in a vehicle
- Consider an anti-theft device
- Use the emergency brake when you park