MIAMI (CBSMiami) – If you have been the victim of a minor car accident or other non-emergency incident but needed to report it to the police, you know it may take hours for cops to arrive and fill out a police report.

The Miami Dade Police Department will give citizens a quicker alternative to creating and completing incident reports.

On Friday, MDPD introduced the department’s online reporting system where victims of non-emergency crimes, including burglary, theft, vandalism, verbal threats, lost property and harassing phone calls, can immediately report their incidents electronically via miamidade.gov/police.

The online form takes you step-by-step through the report, defines the different types of incidents that can be reported online, and even allows you to include documents and pictures.

Before you can file a report, you must make sure the following is true:

• The incident is Not an emergency.
• The incident occurred within the unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County or within the Town of Cutler Bay, Village of Palmetto Bay, or Town of Miami Lakes.
• There are no known suspects.
• There are no weapons involved.
• There are no injuries.
• You are 18 Years of age or older.
• You have a valid e-mail address.
• The incident did not occur on Miami-Dade County School property.
• The incident did not occur on a state or federal numbered highway/freeway (State Road 836, US 1).

If the incident involves a crime scene (blood, fingerprints, or other evidence) or if someone is hurt, call 911.

MDPD has been working on implementing the on-line reporting system since October 2011. The system will reduce the cost of having police officers take reports in person or by telephone and will make police readily available for emergency calls.