| Frequently Asked Questions
Why do 9-1-1 operators and dispatchers ask
so many questions?
Dispatchers are required through training and department policy to ask at the
least what is required to complete a blotter entry, name, address, telephone
#, and the exact nature of the call or complaint. The more information the
dispatcher can relay to the responding officer, the response can be more
efficient and safe. You may make a complaint anonymously.
When do I call 911 versus calling the 7 digit
police #, 692-6757?
The only time you should be dialing 911 is in the event of a true police, fire
or medical emergency. By refraining from calling 911, leaves the line open
for actual emergencies.
What do I do if I get a ticket, a uniform traffic
ticket or a parking ticket?
A uniform traffic ticket is generally the ticket you receive when you are stopped
by the police while driving your vehicle. You may answer the ticket by pleading
guilty or not guilty after reading the entire back of the ticket. Send it to
the court address located at the bottom of the front of the ticket. You do
not need to appear in court if you answer the ticket in a timely fashion. You
will be notified by the court of your trial date, if you plead not guilty,
or your fine if you plead guilty. You may also appear in person to answer the
charge by appearing in court on the date specified at the bottom of the front
of the ticket. Note: the date that is on the bottom of the ticket is not the
trial date, the officer may not be there, it is only to plead guilty or not
guilty, which you could have done by mail. A trial date will be set by the
judge at this time.
Parking tickets are similar to uniform traffic tickets. The instructions on
how to plea are on the front of the ticket, after reading the entire front
of the ticket, check off at the bottom, guilty or not guilty, fill in your
name and address, sign and mail it with the enclosed envelope.
Do not send personal checks, or cash, send only certified checks or money orders.
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My registration license plate was stolen/lost,
or my license was stolen/lost?
Upon finding anything stolen report the loss immediately to your local police
agency. They will issue a form to bring to DMV to receive your replacement
plates or license. If you lost the items, go as soon as possible to your local
police agency, upon review, they may issue a form to bring to DMV for replacement
plates or license. How can I be a good witness?
Being a witness of a criminal act involves good observation. If you observe
an action involving a vehicle, attempt to obtain the vehicle’s license
plate # along with a description of the vehicle and it’s driver. The
vehicle’s description and plate # are very important in a criminal
investigation. Once the action has stopped or is out of your view, call 911
or our 7 digit # (692-6757) as appropriate for the situation, describe in
detail everything you just observed to the dispatcher. Do NOT attempt to
stop the person committing the criminal act unless you are prepared to take
such action. Next, write down everything you just observed, and wait for
the arrival of the police.
If the criminal act involves a person(s) and no vehicle, try and observe the
following: sex, height, weight, hair color, and shirt/pants/jacket/hat description
including the color. Once the action has stopped or is out of your view, call
911 or our 7 digit # (692-6757) as appropriate for the situation, describe
in detail everything you just observed to the dispatcher. Next, write down
everything you just observed, and wait for the arrival of the police.
You may be asked to positively identify the suspect you just observed by what
is called a “show up”. Follow the instructions of the police officer.
You will then be asked to give a statement as to what you just witnessed, in
order for the police to begin the arrest process.
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How do I report a break-in in progress?
If you are inside your residence, and believe that you have an intruder inside
your home, attempt to take a cell phone or portable phone with you and leave
the residence immediately. Once you have made it to a safe location, call
911 immediately. Give your address first and describe to the dispatcher what
is going on. If there are other members of your family in the residence with
you, get them out of the residence also.
If you observe your neighbors house with a possible intruder, call 911
immediately, lock your doors, then stay near a window where you can make
observations but
can’t be seen from the house you are observing. Give the dispatcher your
address first, then your neighbors. Describe your neighbor’s house
and if you believe the owner is home. Describe any vehicles that are parked
within
your view, and if they are occupied by anyone. Stay on the line with the
dispatcher until they hang up. Cell phones and calling 911, you may not end up where you think
your calling!
Currently, if you dial 911 from a cell phone in the Orange County
area, you may end up being answered by one of several different agencies,
including the
N.Y. State Police in another area. The agency you want is the Orange County
911 center located in Chester, N.Y. When the person answers, immediately state
your location then your problem, if unsure of your exact location, give the
call taker the largest landmark you can observe from where you’re standing.
The call taker may ask for more landmarks nearby, give them all the information
that they need so the police can find you.
Where and when can I get fingerprinted for a permit or employment?
You may stop by our station at any time for fingerprinting. We ask that you
either reside or work in the Town of Wallkill for us to fingerprint you for
any permit or employment. Be aware that you may have to wait until an officer
is free from handling calls on patrol to be fingerprinted.
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Must the police be called to every motor vehicle accident?
The police must take an official accident report if any person
involved in the accident is injured in the accident, by N.Y.
State law. Our agency does
generally take a full report even if there are no injuries, in most circumstances.
The driver of any vehicle must also report an accident to DMV of any accident
causing a fatality, personal injury, or damage to either vehicle over $1000.00
on a “civilian accident report form” (MV-104) which may be
picked up at any police agency or DMV. This report must be completed and
mailed
to DMV within 10 days of the accident. When will my accident report be ready?
We attempt to have all police accident reports ready within 5 business days
of the accident date. However, occasionally there are unforeseen problems
with the report and or other correction problems. You may speak to a Sergeant
if your report is not ready after 5 business days from the accident date.
How can I obtain a copy of my accident report?
You may stop by the police department at any time, be sure to have either the
date of the accident or the blotter # handy for the dispatcher to locate
the report. You may also write to the department, be sure to include the
date of the accident, driver involved, and location. There is a small fee
for the copying. Any other questions you may call our dispatch center at
845-692-6757.
What time does the noise ordinance go into effect?
The noise ordinance in the Town of Wallkill goes into effect generally from
10pm – 6am. The operation of power equipment outdoors is not allowed
from 10pm – 7am during the week, and from 10pm – 8am on the weekends.
Please note that the Orange County fairgrounds in generally exempt from the
noise ordinance. For further information or specifics, check out the local
law under Chapter 165 of the Town Code.
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What time does the curfew go into effect?
The curfew goes into effect from 11pm – 6am, for children under the age
of 17. On Halloween (including Oct. 30, 31, and Nov. 1) the curfew is from
9pm – 6am, for children under age 17. Do I really need to report minor incidents to the police, such as
a stolen item from my car or property?
Yes. Even though the item stolen or the incident may be minor, the
Police need to know about all crimes in order to adjust their patrols
and their staffing levels. Most times it will only take about 15 –20
minutes of your time to complete a report. Your cooperation is greatly
appreciated.
Can I make a complaint regarding someone committing
a vehicle and traffic offense?
Yes. However, you can not sign a formal complaint against someone
who commits a traffic offense. You may make a complaint about a specific
person or vehicle, or a pattern of traffic offenses committed at
a specific location, such as speeding on a specific street. Our supervisory
staff will determine whether or not enforcement is required in that
area based on the number of complaints received among other things.
If you make a complaint about a specific person or vehicle, usually
a blotter entry will be made and passed on to the supervisor of the
shift.
How do I make a complaint regarding Town code, or building code?
Call the Town of Wallkill building department at 692-7807, or the code enforcement
officer at 692-7809 during business hours. Back
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What is the difference between a blotter entry and a case report?
Every call that requires police service receives a blotter entry, this
records the caller’s name, address, telephone #, address where
the service is requested, the date, time and officer(s) that responded.
A brief narrative
of what the call was about is also recorded by the dispatcher and/or the
officer that responded to the call. Only calls that need extra police investigation
receive a case report. The officer will complete this when he returns from
patrol including details of the investigation. What happens to a person upon arrest?
Upon arrest a person is transported to the police station and placed in our
holding cell. The person is “booked” which includes, obtaining
their pedigree, photo and fingerprints. The officer will then determine if
the person needs to be arraigned before a judge or released and given an
appearance ticket to return to court at a later date. If arraigned by a judge
and he orders bail, the bail for the arrested subject may be posted at the
Orange County Jail in Goshen, N.Y. The total arrest and booking procedure
may take from about one hour to several hours depending on the case and charges.
What is the legal limit for driving while intoxicated?
.08% Blood Alcohol Content (B.A.C.) is the legal limit for the charge of Driving
while intoxicated a misdemeanor. Under this level, you may be charged with
driving while ability impaired depending on the reading, a violation. Drinking
and driving any motor vehicle never mix, call a cab or ask a friend to drive
you home.
Does the Police Department take reports over the telephone?
No. If the incident took place anywhere in the Town of Wallkill, we can take
a report from you in person. You may stop by the station or we can respond
to your residence. If you reside outside our jurisdiction, we may ask you
to respond to the station to complete the report.
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