Home | Departments | Mayor | Assembly | Employee Directory | Contact Us | Find
You are here : Home > Departments > Police Department > apdfaq
|
Frequently Asked Questions Q: Does your department allow citizens to ride-along with patrol officers? A: Yes. Our department has a ride-along program. Citizens who are at least 20 years of age need to complete a ride-along request form. Click on this link to complete the form http://www.muni.org/iceimages/apd2/ridealong.pdf. Fax your completed form to Marlene Lammers with the Public Affairs Office at 786-8538 or drop it off at the front counter of the APD. You will then be contacted to schedule the date and time for the ride. If you have further questions, please contact Marlene Lammers at 786-8699. Q: What are the laws regarding seatbelts for children? A: The Alaska State Troopers has a brochure called “Growing Up Buckled Up” which is available to the public. It provides guidelines for child safety seat use and outline’s Alaska’s law on these issues. Q: There has been a rise in the burglaries in my neighborhood. Is there anything APD can do to help me prevent this from happening to my family? A: The Anchorage Police Department has a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program that is available to all residents in the municipality. This program is designed to provide residents with information on how to make their home a safer place for their families. They will also conduct a free home security survey to advise residents of ways they can improve the security of their home. For more information on the Neighborhood CrimeWatch program, call 786-8585. Q: I am considering purchasing a home and would like to know what types of crime have been committed in the area. Does APD provide this information? A: Crime density maps are accessible on the Internet. Go to http://www.muni.org/apd1/DensityMaps.cfm. The department does not release exact address crime information. Q: Where do I go to pay my traffic fine? A: All fines can be paid at the front counter of APD located at 4501 S. Bragaw Street. Q: How do I contest my traffic ticket? A: You can post bond (the amount of the fine) and appear in court to contest the ticket. You must go the Traffic counter at the old courthouse to do this. Q: Do officers have a quota of traffic tickets they have to meet? A: No. APD has never set a quota on traffic tickets written. Q: If I have a minor accident, do I have to wait for the police to arrive? A: Technically, no, unless the total property damage is $500 or more. If you elect to leave the scene, you can fill out a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident form at the police department. This must be completed within ten (10) days of the accident. Q: If I have an accident, can I move my car? A: Yes. In fact, municipal law requires that you move your vehicles so as not to block traffic, unless there are injuries or they cannot be moved. After you make initial contact with the other driver, move your vehicles to a safe area off the traveled portion of the roadway, or to a parking lot. Q: How dark can I tint my windows? A: State law requires all passenger vehicles must allow at least 70% light through the front and front side windows, and 40% through rear and rear side windows. Anchorage police officers carry tint measuring devices in order to enforce this law, which carries a $150 fine. Q: How do I know if my mufflers are legal on my vehicle? A: The easiest way to determine if you are operating with legal mufflers is to make sure they are no louder than those it was originally equipped with from the factory. All others are illegal, even though it is legal for vendors to sell them to you. Q: How long can I legally keep studded tires on my vehicle? A: Studded tires are legal only between September 15 and May 1 of each year. Should you drive with them outside of these dates, you may be fined $30 per tire. Q: How long can a vehicle be parked on city streets? A: Vehicles parked on city streets must be moved every 24 hours with the exception of weekends and holidays. Q: Can I get a copy of a police report? A: Yes. Although some information on police reports must be kept confidential and may be "blacked out," it will cost you $6 for the first five pages, then 10¢ for every page thereafter. Q: I turned in a bike I found. If it isn't claimed can I have it? A: No. Municipal law prohibits finders from claiming bicycles or motorized vehicles. Q: Well, what happens to unclaimed bikes? A: APD donates them to the YMCA, a non-profit organization, which auctions them regularly to raise operating funds. Q: How often does APD auction unclaimed property? A: APD doesn' t hold auctions. We contract with local auctioneers on a consignment basis after the mandatory procedures have been followed. The auction companies then auction off those items along during a regular auction sale. The proceeds go into the General Fund. Q: How do I go about claiming my property? A: You must call to make an appointment. When you arrive for your appointment, you must have picture ID with you. Call 786-8660 to make an appointment to claim property. Q: What is the curfew law during the school year? A: Anyone 16 years or younger is considered a minor. All minors must be home between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Friday and between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This applies anywhere within the municipality. The penalty for violating the curfew is between $75-$300, and parents can also be fined for permitting curfew violations. There are exceptions for emergencies, or if the minor has written or oral permission from a parent or legal guardian to perform a specific errand and return home directly. |
| Related Links | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
APD Disclaimer | Contact APD
632 W. 6th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501
PO Box 196650 Anchorage, Alaska 99519
Disclaimer | Privacy Statement | Site Help | (c)2004 MOA IT e-Gov