Bowling Green Police Division is investigating a theft from the city’s payment drop box.
On Tuesday, Nov. 30, the police were notified of a theft from the City of Bowling Green payment drop box located at the City Administrative Services Building, 304 N. Church St. The subject forced entry into the box and removed its contents.
This drop box is used to allow city residents to drop off utility payments, income tax payments, and various other city related items.
The Bowling Green Police Division urges anyone who dropped off anything to this box on Nov. 29 between 8 a.m. and midnight to contact the police dispatch center at 419-352-1131 to make a report. The police division also recommends visiting the Ohio Attorney General’s website (https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/identitytheft) for information on identity theft prevention measures.
Anyone with information regarding who may be responsible for this theft should contact Detective Matt Robinson at 419-352-1131. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call the Wood County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-54-CRIME (419-352-0077).
The City of Bowling Green, the Utilities Department, and the Bowling Green Police Division are working together to investigate this incident and to try to mitigate the potential harm to citizens.
The City of Bowling Green suggests for security purposes, cash payments should never be left in the night drop box. Alternate payment options are available for those who do not wish to use the night drop box:
• Mail – Payments may be mailed using the pre-addressed envelope included with all bills.
• Pay in Person at the Utilities Business Office: Business hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Automatic Utility Payment Program: Utility bills can be automatically deducted from a checking account, on the due date, by signing up for the Automatic Utility Payment program. Customers, who opt to use this service, will still receive their utility statement every month, but their bank will automatically issue payment on the due date. This option saves a stamp or a trip into the office and assures the bill will be paid on time and potential late fees avoided. The sign-up form for the Automatic Utility Payment Program is available on the City’s website: www.bgohio.org
• Pay with Credit Card Online: Bowling Green offers two methods for credit card payments. Customers may make a credit card payment online through ACI Payments. A fee per transaction will apply. Customers may make a credit card payment by phone through Alorica by calling 800-206-9415. A fee per transaction will apply. All transactions require a Bowling Green Municipal Utilities account and customer number. To verify your account number and customer number, call the Utilities Business Office at 419-354-6252.
