Police Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please refer to the table below for the questions that are asked most often. If you have further questions, please call the Non-Emergency number: 503-786-7500.
 

Q. When and how do I use 911?
A. What is 911? 911 is the emergency phone number linking a caller to the appropriate emergency response – Police, Fire, or Medical. Using 911 ensures the quickest possible response for emergencies. A professionally trained Call-Taker will ask the caller pertinent questions about the emergency to better evaluate what kind of emergency response is needed. Oftentimes, the caller may be in need of emergency help from more than one emergency service. It is the Call-Taker’s responsibility to help determine what kind of response will best render aid for the emergency.

Q. How do I decide what is a 911 emergency, and when I should use the non-emergency phone number?
A. Call 911 anytime the incident is an immediate risk to the safety of people or property. Examples of 911 emergencies include fire; someone in immediate medical crisis; a crime occurring now; or a situation occurring now poses immediate risk of injury to others, such as a collapsed bridge, fallen tree across a road, downed power lines, or a drunken driver being followed. Suspicious activity that is occurring now, such as activity involving a person(s) or vehicle that appears to have criminal intent can also justify using the 911 emergency telephone number.

Non-emergency situations include examples of a non-injury fender-bender vehicle crash; awaking to find your property was damaged sometime overnight; after a crime has been committed but the suspect has long left the scene; or complaints about a neighbor’s noisy party or barking dog. DO NOT USE 911 FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.

How to use 911:

• From a landline, such as at home dial 911. Remain calm – answer questions the Call Taker asks.
   
• DO NOT pre-program 911 into your telephone or cellular phone, this can cause dialing problems if the battery is low on cordless phones. Far too often the pre-programmed button is hit accidentally, causing police to respond to the ‘incomplete’ 911 call to investigate. This wastes precious time when the police officer might be needed elsewhere for an actual emergency.
   
• At a business or other locations you may need to dial an outside line before dialing 911.
   
• At a pay phone no money is required to dial 911. Simply pick up the receiver and dial 911.
   
• When calling from a cellular phone, inform the Call Taker you are calling via cell phone.
   
• Provide location information.
   
• To access TTY or TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf), dial 911 on phone, then press the space bar on attached device until written response is received.
   
• If a caller does not speak English, the caller should remain on the line and the Call Taker will link with a translation service for assistance. The telephone translation service accesses 156 different languages.

Q. What happens when I call 911?
A. 911 and non-emergency calls inside the City of Milwaukie are answered by The Lake Oswego Communications Center (LOCOM). When you dial 911, your call is routed to LOCOM and is answered by a trained emergency Call Taker. The 911 telephone system has an Automatic Location Identification System and an Automatic Number Identification System (ALI/ANI) that indicates the address and telephone number of the caller. If the caller is unable to speak, police will be dispatched to the location of the call to determine the nature of the problem. If the call is coming from a cellular phone, ALI/ANI information will NOT be available to the Call Taker. The cell phone user must tell the Call Taker the exact location.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

• What service is needed – Police, Fire, or Medical.
• Where the emergency has occurred.
• Answer any other questions the Call Taker may ask.

  EMERGENCY CALLS ONLY DURING AREA-WIDE EVENTS.
  During a major emergency that affects an entire region, such as an earthquake, life-threatening flooding, or other critical mass incidents, it is vitally important that citizens refrain from overloading the 911 system for non-essential calls. Calling 911 to report, “there was an earthquake” when the caller is not facing a life-threatening situation inappropriately ties up the 911 phone lines. When this happens, people with true emergencies receive a busy signal and can’t get through to 911.

Q. What is the non-emergency phone number?
A. The non-emergency phone number for police response is: 503-786-7500.

Q. After calling for assistance, how long is the wait for police or fire/medical response?
A. All calls for police/fire/medical response are prioritized based on the nature or seriousness of the situation. Life threatening incidents will take priority over non-emergency situations or those that are not an immediate danger to life. Occasionally, response to non-life threatening incidents may be delayed by more serious calls or major incidents. This does not minimize the importance of the caller’s request for help; it merely places it in a practical order for proper response.

Q. If I fear a child might be the victim of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect, whom should I call?
A. If the abuse is occurring now, call 911. If the incident is already over, or there is a fear of past, or ongoing abuse, call the non-emergency phone number: 503-786-7500.

Law enforcement must investigate any accusation of child abuse or neglect. Although witness information is extremely helpful, reports can be made anonymously.

Q. What if I hear or see a domestic argument that has turned violent?
A. Immediately call 911. A neighbor or passerby that sees or hears domestic violence has a civic duty to report incidents of violence or injury. Domestic violence impacts everyone in a community: relatives, children, friends, churches and community organizations, schools and businesses. Domestic violence includes assault (physical injury); sexual abuse; imminent threats of serious injury. It can involve animal abuse, and criminal mischief, as well as other kinds of crimes. Domestic violence is a crime and must be dealt with accordingly. Although witness information is extremely helpful, reports can be made anonymously. Law enforcement must investigate any accusation of domestic violence.

Q. Should suspicious activity in my neighborhood be reported?
A. If a person or property is in immediate danger, call 911. If you deem the situation suspicious in nature, call the non-emergency number: 503-786-7500. Far too often citizens are hesitant to call police when they observe something strange, believing the police are too busy, or fear embarrassment if the incident turns out to be an authorized activity. Many criminal activities have been prevented or stopped short, and criminals arrested due to the diligence of citizens reporting ‘suspicious’ activities. Citizens know what situations are acceptable and ‘normal’ in their neighborhoods, parks, schools, or workplaces. The Milwaukie Police Department encourages citizens to report suspicious activities.

Q. What is the CURFEW LAW in Milwaukie?
A. Under the Milwaukie City Ordinance, curfew times are based on age:

• Under 14 years of age 9:15 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Sun., Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., 10:15 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Fri., Sat., any day prior to official holidays, and during summer vacation in June, July, and August (Also valid during winter and spring break from school)
   
• 14 –17 years of age 10:15 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Sun., Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Midnight to 6:00 a.m. on Fri., Sat., any day prior to official holidays, and during summer vacation in June, July, and August. (Also valid during winter and spring break from school) A juvenile found violating the Curfew Ordinance may be taken into protective custody and transported to the Clackamas County Juvenile Reception Center in Oregon City.
   
• Parents or legal guardians of the juvenile will be notified of the child’s detainment and will be responsible for retrieving the child from the Juvenile Reception Center. To reach the Juvenile Reception Center by phone, contact 503-650-3180.
   
• Curfews for persons under the age of 18 are established to minimize the risk of harm to juveniles that are not under the direct supervision of their parents or legal guardians. Juveniles walking in public places, or driving vehicles during the specified time periods are more likely to become victims of crime, or victims of accidents causing serious physical injury or death.
   
• Sometimes teens become conspirators in crimes of graffiti vandalism, criminal mischief, assaults, menacing, and drug/alcohol overdose incidents. Parents have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their children by enforcing existing curfew laws.
   
• Exemptions to curfew rules include job-related activities, medical emergencies requiring hospital evaluation, or being under direct supervision of a parent or other legal guardian over the age of 21. More detailed information is available through the City of Milwaukie website.
   
• Curfew ordinance information is in Chapter 9.08 of the city’s code.

Q. What constitutes an ‘abandoned vehicle’ in a neighborhood?
A. For purposes of Oregon revised statutes 819.100 and 819.110 ‘abandoned’ means a vehicles left unoccupied and unclaimed, or in a damaged or dismantled condition upon any public right-of-way.

Any vehicle parked on the street for more than 24 hours can be cited or towed if the Police Department  has reason to believe the vehicle is disabled or abandoned.  A vehicle that is operable or that is periodically moved or that has other indicia of movement will not generally be considered abandoned. The intent of the law is to evaluate vehicles left unattended for extended periods of time, causing inconvenience to nearby residents. Any vehicle parked on a city street that is not driven on a consistent basis may be considered ‘abandoned.’ Vehicles in violation will be ‘tagged for removal’ within 24 hours.

The tag will list the vehicle’s license plate number, make and model, plus the location where the vehicle has been abandoned. The vehicle will be towed and impounded if not moved prior to the date and time listed on the Notice of Vehicle Removal tag. The tow company will have a lien on the vehicle and its contents and may retain the vehicle until storage and towing charges have been paid.

The owner may request a hearing on the validity of the tow and the creation and amount of the lien. For further information, call the Milwaukie Police Department at 503-786-7500.

Q. I was involved in a traffic crash. What procedures must I follow?
A. If you are involved in an injury traffic crash, call 911. Police/Fire/Medical will respond to the scene and render aid. In addition, traffic crashes involving an injury and/or over $2500 in vehicle or property damages must be reported to DMV within 72 hours of the event. DMV forms may be obtained at the Milwaukie Police Department or any DMV office. If DMV does not receive the required documentation, the privilege to drive may be suspended and the driver’s license seized. Drivers involved in a traffic crash must stop and exchange required information with all parties involved or directly affected by the crash. Drivers are required to present sufficient information as to their identities, and an address and/or phone number for contact. Refusal to provide required information may constitute a crime in Oregon. A driver leaving the scene of a crash without first providing the required information may be arrested for the misdemeanor or felony crime of Failure to Perform Duties of a Driver Involved In a Traffic Crash.

Q. What is the procedure for acquiring a copy of a police report?
A. You must submit a formal request for reports through the Milwaukie Police Department's Records Division. You may submit the request electronically or in person. There is a $15.00 fee for reports. Reports are unable to be faxed or e-mailed. If the circumstances of the case have already been submitted to the District Attorney for action, you will need to contact that office to determine whether the information can be released. The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office phone number is: 503-655-8431.

Q. What are the business hours of the Milwaukie Police Records Department?
A. The Milwaukie Police Records Department is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office closed on weekends and holidays. The Police Records business line is 503-786-7400, opt 2.

Q. How do I find out if I have a pending warrant for my arrest?
A. To determine whether there is a warrant, you must come in person, with identification, to the police department. A police officer can then advise you if a warrant exists. This information cannot be obtained over the phone.

Q. How do I find out if a particular criminal arrest is still on my record?
A. Information pertaining to criminal history information may be obtained through the Oregon State Police Identification Services Section. For more information and current fees for this service contact the Oregon State Police Identification Services by calling 503-378-3070, ext. 236. The office is in Salem, Oregon.

Q. How do I obtain a concealed weapon permit?
A. For information regarding concealed weapon permits contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office at 503-655-8218.

Q. How do I apply to become a Milwaukie police officer?
A. Information on employment opportunities with the City of Milwaukie is available through the Human Resources Department Job Hotline at 503-786-7543.

All current openings will be listed on the hotline. Information is updated every Monday. At the end of the recording a number will be provided if you wish to request an application. The City of Milwaukie also lists employment opportunities in the Employment Section of The Oregonian newspaper.

Additional information is also available on the City of Milwaukie website.

Q. Does the Milwaukie Police Department offer tours of the Public Safety Building?
A. The Milwaukie Police Department offers educational tours of the Public Safety Building for citizen groups, various clubs such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school field trips, etc. To request a tour of the police department, call 503-786-7400, opt 2 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Your call will be forwarded to a police supervisor who will assist in scheduling the date and time for the tour. It is often possible to arrange a joint tour of both the police and fire departments, which are both located at the Public Safety Building.

Q. What does the City of Milwaukie require related to business and home alarm systems?
A. The City of Milwaukie requires that users of security alarm systems obtain a permit for each system being used. Most alarm systems fall under the category of residential, or business. Users of systems with both robbery and burglary alarm capabilities must maintain separate permits for each function.

When a security alarm activates a monitoring company notifies the police/fire/medical dispatch center by phone. The appropriate public safety responder is sent to investigate the alarm incident. Statistically, the vast majority of alarm activations are false. In the event an investigating police officer determines the false alarm was user error, equipment malfunction, or finds no identifying cause for the alarm, the incident is documented as a ‘false alarm’.

Users are allowed three false alarms within the permit year. For each false alarm over three in a permit year, the holder of the permit shall pay a fee established by the city council, upon written demand by the police department.

• For more information on Alarm Permits, contact the Milwaukie Police Department Records Department at 503-786-7400, opt 2.
• Application forms are available at the Milwaukie Police Department, 3200 SE Harrison Street, Milwaukie, Oregon 97222.

Q. I want to file for a restraining order. How do I proceed?
A. A restraining order or a protective order is a legal document authorized by a court judge most often related to domestic violence incidents. Victims must request the appropriate forms through the jurisdictional county where they live.

For Clackamas County residents, additional information and forms may be obtained through the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office is located at 807 Main Street in Oregon City.

Correspondence can be sent to: Clackamas County Circuit Court, 807 Main Street, Oregon City, Oregon 97045.

The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office phone number is: 503-655-8431.