|
Police Department
James M. Chelel - Police
Chief
(973) 763-3000 Ext. 7775
jchelel@southorange.org
CITIZENS' GUIDE TO POLICE SERVICES
The 9-1-1 emergency system is a statewide network which handles
all emergency calls for police, fire, first-aid and the like. The
South Orange Police Communications Center is manned on a 24 hour-a-day,
365 day-a-year basis with certified 9-1-1 operators at all times.
The 9-1-1 system operates side-by-side with our police radio equipment
to receive all incoming emergencies, and dispatch police and other
personnel within moments of contact. The 9-1-1 system is NOT for
use in non-emergency situations, and the system will automatically
reject a call if the operator determines that no emergency has occurred.
There is also a screening system which identifies the source of
each call before the operator answers the phone, so that crank calls
can be traced and the callers can be seized before they can hang
up. 9-1-1 will also issue a recorded message to multiple callers
which advises them that the incident which they have reported has
already been received and is being handled.
GENERAL POLICE INFORMATION
The South Orange Police Communications Center has non-emergency
phone numbers for use when reporting crimes after the fact or seeking
general police information. These phone numbers are 763-3000 &
378-7772.
The desk personnel will receive all calls and provide appropriate
information and response. All reported crimes will be investigated
and reports will be filed as necessary with the Record Bureau. There
are additional report forms available to citizens who wish to report
a non-criminal incident or minor motor vehicle accident for their
own use. These "Citizen Report" forms are available at
the Main Desk of Police Headquarters around the clock.
The Communications Center will provide general police information,
such as road directions and traffic regulations to callers, and
will make appropriate referrals as needed.
 SNOW EMERGENCY INFORMATION
The Township of South Orange Village has an emergency contact system
for advising residents of school closing and/or delayed opening
due to inclement weather. This system consists of:
RADIO AND TV. School closings will be announced on radio stations
WINS (AM 1010) and WOR (AM 710), and on TV station WNYW FOX (Channel
5).
Residents should utilize these media for school closings as well
as weather and traffic updates rather than calling local police
for this information. Police dispatch personnel DO NOT receive timely
updates on school, weather and traffic information, and increased
calls for emergency assistance, auto accidents and other snow related
functions afford little time to devote to non-emergency inquiries.
RECORD BUREAU
The Police Record Bureau maintains a record of each incident received
by phone, 9-1-1 system, walk-in or radio by means of computer-dispatching
and continuous recording of all communications. The bureau also
receives, reviews, certifies and files every report form submitted
by department personnel subsequent to a criminal investigation,
medical emergency, reportable auto accident, damage or injury due
to fire or other disaster, and all such events as required by the
State of New Jersey. The bureau also forwards monthly and annual
reports to the New Jersey State Police for inclusion in the Uniform
Crime Report issue each year to statewide law enforcement personnel.
Accident reports and incident reports are available to the public
at a cost of five dollars per report. These reports require two
business days after the actual incident to be processed and will
not be released any sooner.
Discovery requests for information on file may be made by mail
or in person, and a schedule of fees will be available upon request.
The South Orange Police Record Bureau is open every Monday through
Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., except holidays.
FINGERPRINT - South Orange residents can come in any Tuesdays
between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. for non-criminal fingerprint. The cost
is $5.00 per card.
GOOD CONDUCT LETTERS - South Orange residents can obtain
a letter of Good Conduct for employment or other purposes for a
$5.00 fee.
ALARM REGISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT
The Village of South Orange has strict ordinances regarding the
installation and maintenance of home and commercial burglar/fire
alarms. Every alarm system must be registered with the South Orange
Police Department, regardless of its components or installation.
Registration is free, but it is mandatory.
Any alarm system which features an audible device must include
an automatic reset mode to curtail false activation from sounding
at length. The device must have automatic shut off after 15 minutes.
A schedule of fines is stipulated for alarm subscribers whose systems
generate multiple false activations. The Record Bureau monitors
all Alarm Response Reports filed by patrol officers who respond
to alarm calls, and warnings are issued for the first two false
activations in any year. The warnings will be followed by fines
for each subsequent false activation, starting with $25.00 for the
third and increasing to as high as $100.00 per offense.
To register an alarm or inquire about general alarm information,
call 378-7782 during Record Bureau hours.
INVESTIGATIONS
The Detective Bureau conducts investigations of all reported criminal
activity, and detectives are on duty each weekday from 8 a.m. to
12 midnight. Investigators work varying hours each weekend and holiday,
and on-call coverage is maintained at all other times.
The detectives maintain continuous contact with victims and witnesses
to every crime under inquiry so as to apprise them of the current
status at each stage of investigation.
The supervisors of this unit also deploy undercover officers and
surveillance vehicles to combat street crime in the Village, through
the use of up-to-date crime analysis and cooperative exchanges with
other area agencies.
Citizens may report suspected ongoing criminal activity for investigation
by calling 378-7799.
TRAFFIC BUREAU
The Traffic Bureau is comprised of officers with specialized training
in radar enforcement, DWI patrols and investigations, local and
state motor vehicle regulations, and the overall monitoring of traffic
flow.
The bureau provides traffic enforcement and patrol assistance 7
days a week and maintains records of summons activity for long-term
planning and court testimony. Traffic officers have also applied
for and received grant money for special projects such as radar,
DWI and seat-belt enforcement. This bureau also monitors the towing
and impound of vehicles by the South Orange Police for any reason.
Residents may contact the Traffic Bureau and leave a message at
378-7839 to report continuing hazardous conditions such as speeding,
illegal turning or failure to yield to pedestrians at Village crosswalks.
JUVENILE BUREAU
This office maintained for the investigation of crimes committed
by and/or against children under the age of eighteen. The Juvenile
Bureau also offers intervention in matters of child abuse, runaways,
truancy and other related issues which may concern you in South
Orange.
Juvenile officers will also register residents' bicycles regardless
of age, and engrave the bikes with a permanent I.D. number at no
cost.
The number for the Juvenile Bureau is 378-7788.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS UNIT
The services of the Community Relations Unit include all areas
of Crime Prevention, the D.A.R.E. program which offers area children
education about the dangers of substance abuse, and a variety of
programs for the victims and witnesses of violent crime and other
misfortune. The phone number is 378-7802 and citizens, residents
and merchants can call at any time to speak with an officer or leave
a message. The services include:
CRIME PREVENTION. Programs are available to assist citizens
in making their homes, cars, property and families more resistant
to the criminal element.
Crime Prevention officers can conduct a Home or Commercial Security
Survey by appointment to identify existing structures, entries or
basic practices which may be prone to illegal activity and how to
reinforce them.
AUTO THEFT PREVENTION is also provided to assist citizens
in identifying the risks to their vehicles, and how to make their
cars more theft-resistant. In many cases, anti-theft devices can
be added at little or no net cost to the owner by coordinating with
the auto insurers to receive premium rebates.
ENGRAVING ASSISTANCE. The unit has an engraving tool for
citizen use so that property can be affixed with a permanent I.D.
number for security reasons. This item is loaned at no cost, and
instructions are provided.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH. This program mobilizes residents and
merchants in South Orange to help identify criminal or suspicious
activity and report it to police before a crime can occur. There
are several Watch programs in the Village which have operated for
over a decade with dramatic results in reversing criminal trends.
Any citizen can become involved in Neighborhood Watch by calling
the C.R.U.
MERCHANT ALERT PAGING SYSTEM (MAPS). This new system affords
businesses in town a means of contacting police headquarters for
patrol response without speaking in front of suspicious persons.
Registration is free and can be arranged by phone.
D.A.R.E. PROGRAM. Drug Abuse Resistance Education is taught
at the fifth grade level in all South Orange schools. The program
sends trained, uniformed officers into the classrooms for a seventeen
week course on drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse, and how to resist
the pressures to sample these substances. D.A.R.E. officers spend
time with students in and out of the classroom to create a positive
image of law enforcement as well as a spirit of trust and friendship
which will carry over into each child's adolescent and adult life.
Parents and students are welcome to call the C.R.U. for information
on the D.A.R.E. program and curriculum at any time.
VICTIM/WITNESS ADVOCACY. The Community Relations Unit provides
services and referrals for residents who fall victim to crime, domestic
violence, serious injury or other traumatic circumstance. Crime
victims can apply to the New Jersey Violent Crimes Compensation
Fund for reimbursement of lost wages, medical expenses and counseling
resulting from an assault, robbery or other violation against their
person. An officer with the C.R.U. will assist in filing such claims
upon request.
VOLUNTEER CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM. The South Orange Police have
recently created a unit of highly qualified volunteers to respond
and provide counseling in instances of severe personal loss or emotional
trauma. The Crisis Team is available only through the Police Department,
and they will respond as requested regardless of the hour or day
at no cost to the persons receiving this service. There are team
members specially trained to deal with Domestic Violence incidents,
and there are also numerous members of the area clergy to provide
religious counseling for citizens of all denominations.
The Animal Control Officer works in conjunction with the Health
Department, but maintains an office and phone station at police
headquarters to expedite response. If you wish to contact the Animal
Control Officer, call 378-7745 and leave a message.
EMERGENCY OVERNIGHT PARKING
The Village of South Orange has parking regulations throughout
its streets and municipal lots, so it is advisable to familiarize
yourself with those which apply in your neighborhood.
There is an ordinance which prohibits parking on all municipal
streets daily between the early morning hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.,
weekends and holidays included. Certain long-term exemptions to
this ordinance can be granted through application to the South
Orange Parking Authority, located in Village Hall. For further
information, please call the Parking Authority during regular business
hours at 761-1997.
The South Orange Police can authorize permission for one-night
parking in an emergency, such as a disabled car or an overnight
guest. Citizens who wish to request such permission should phone
the police desk at 378-7772 BEFORE 2 a.m. on the date desired. This
permission will be granted for any reasonable request, at the discretion
of the shift commander.
There will be NO PERMISSION GRANTED in the event of snowfall or
other instances where weather necessitates that the streets be clear
for plowing, salting or other emergency operations. Vehicles left
on the streets at such times will be ticketed and possibly towed.
Avoid this alternative, and prepare for bad weather by securing
your cars off the road
|
