Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the Edgewood Police Department
located?
A: The police department is
located within the Edgewood borough building at 2 Race
Street, Edgewood, Pennsylvania 15218. The entrance
is through the main door of the borough building.
Parking is available in the rear of the building.
Q: How do I file a police report, report a
crime in progress, or speak to a police officer?
A: For any of these situations please dial 911,
even if it is not an immediate emergency. Since
December 2005, all police, fire and ambulance calls are
being dispatched through the Allegheny County 911
Center. At this point in time they do not have a
public non-emergency contact number that routes calls
directly to our dispatch desk. Dialing 911 will
connect you to them. You may also come directly to
the borough building. If the front entrance is
locked please pick up the phone and tell the operator
that you need to speak to a police officer. An
officer will then be dispatched to meet you there.
Q: How do I obtain a copy of a police
incident report and/or a state accident report and what
are the fees?
A: In order to obtain a
report you will have to come to the police department
Monday through Friday from 8:00AM until 12:00AM.
State accident reports may be obtained by your auto
insurance carrier as well by having them call (412)
242-0958 during the same time frame. The fee for
state accident reports is $15.00 and all police incident
reports are $20.00.
Q: What should I do if I am involved in an
automobile accident?
A: If there are no
injuries and your vehicle is operable, move to the side
of the roadway or to a nearby parking lot. Leaving
vehicles in the roadway increases the potential of being
struck by passing motorists and creates heavy traffic
congestion. If there are injuries, or a vehicle is
damaged to the point that it cannot be driven, call 911
immediately and request emergency assistance. You
may request police assistance for minor accidents with
limited damage and no injuries, however, you are not
required to by law.
Q: What kind of information do I need to
gather from the other driver(s) if I am involved in an
accident?
A: Ask to see the other
driver’s license, registration form, and insurance
information. You will be required to display the
same upon request. If the other driver(s) cannot
provide these documents, or they ask you not to call the
police, notify the police to respond and verify their
information. Record the information on these
documents along with the location of the accident, time
of day, witnesses, and any other information you may
feel is important to document. If the police
respond and a state accident report is necessary, all of
this information will be included in the report.
Failure to provide information is an offense under the
Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.
Q: What should I do if I am pulled over by a
police officer?
A: If you are driving
and a police car signals for you to stop, please pull as
far to the right of the roadway as possible and stop
your vehicle as soon as you safely can. Remember,
all police vehicles in Pennsylvania, and only police
vehicles, are equipped with both red and blue lights.
Try to remain calm, even if you are unsure as to why
you were stopped, or if you don’t believe you did
anything wrong. If it is dark outside turn on your
interior light so the officer(s) can see inside your
vehicle. Try to keep your hands in an area where
the officer(s) can see them (i.e., preferably on the
steering wheel). This is to help reassure the
officer(s) that you aren’t looking to harm them.
Unfortunately, a large number of police officers are
feloniously killed or assaulted every year across the
United States on traffic stops. Most of these
stops started for what seemed to be a minor violation.
That being said, police officers are trained to be
prepared for the worst possible scenario, even though
the vast majority of persons stopped have no intentions
of harming them. Do not exit your vehicle unless
you are asked to (this includes any passengers).
When the officer approaches your vehicle he/she will
inform you of the reason for stopping you. You
will most likely be asked to produce a driver’s license,
vehicle registration paperwork and proof of valid auto
insurance. The officer will probably allow you to
explain your actions that led them to pulling you over.
Please try to do this in a respectful manner, even if
you disagree with them. The officer should treat
you with the same courtesy.
If you lawfully possess a firearm on your person or
in the vehicle, and believe that it may become exposed
to the officer’s view, notify them before reaching for
anything that may expose it. The officer will then
instruct you on how he/she wants to handle the
situation. You will probably be asked to display a
valid license to carry a concealed firearm. (Note:
Pennsylvania law requires anyone that carries a loaded
handgun concealed on their person, or in a vehicle, to
have a lawfully issued license to do so, unless they are
exempted under the statute.)
An officer typically has several choices as to how
they are going to handle a traffic stop. These
choices can be dictated by several factors that the
officer has to take into consideration. He/she may
give you a verbal warning for the infraction, issue you
a written warning notice, issue you a state traffic
citation(s), or make an arrest if circumstances warrant
one. Also, your vehicle may be legally towed under
certain guidelines (e.g., no auto insurance, suspended
driver’s license or vehicle registration, etc.).
You are entitled to disagree with the course of
action the officer chooses to take. If you are
issued a citation, or even arrested, it only means the
officer believes there was sufficient reason for them to
charge you with a violation (also known as “probable
cause”). You are entitled to defend yourself
against the charge(s) in a court of law and are not
presumed as being guilty because you were cited, or even
arrested. However, bear in mind that the side of
the roadway is no place to argue your case if you
disagree with the officer. You may not legally
resist the officer’s attempt to cite you or arrest you,
even if you believe they are wrong. Doing so will
only make a bad situation worse. Try to keep your
emotions in check and stay composed. The
officer(s) are expected to treat you professionally and
courteously, but they are also allowed to reasonably
defend themselves against any aggressive, threatening,
or hostile behavior. You may request an officer’s
name and badge number and they should provide it to you
before concluding the stop (if you are issued a citation
it is contained on your copy).
Q: I was pulled over and issued a traffic
citation. If I plead guilty or am found guilty in
court are there points assessed against my driving
record?
A: Not all offenses in the
Pennsylvania Vehicle Code carry demerit points if you
plead guilty or are convicted. Click the following
link for more
information on the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s point system.
(Adobe Reader
required.)
Q: I have a complaint about people
consistently speeding on my street/failing to stop at
posted signs, etc. Can the police conduct extra
traffic details in that problem area?
A: You may report any traffic concerns you have by
visiting the police department or calling us. An
officer may be assigned to conduct a traffic detail in
that area. This cannot be guaranteed though due to
call volume and other daily responsibilities officers
may have to tend to. We will try our best to
address your concerns as they may arise. In an
effort to reduce crime and keep the roadways safe for
our residents and visitors, the Edgewood Police
Department works hard to maintain a strong and visible
presence in the community.
Q: Does the Edgewood Police Department
provide fingerprinting services, and if so, what are the
fees?
A: Yes. A police officer
can process your fingerprints Monday through Friday from
8:00AM until 12:00AM at the police department. The
fee is $15.00 for residents of Edgewood Borough and
$30.00 for non-residents. Valid government issued
photo identification is required.
Q: Does the Edgewood Police Department
provide vehicle lockout assistance?
A:
For liability reasons, police officers are not permitted
to attempt to open a locked vehicle to retrieve keys
left inside. An officer will be able to assist you
in finding a licensed tow company to perform the
service. There may be fees assessed by the tow
company that you will be responsible for.
Q: Does the Edgewood Police Department offer
a “Citizens Police Academy?”
A: Yes.
Please visit our “Citizens Police Academy” page for more
information on the program and the requirements to
apply.
Q: Does the Edgewood Police Department allow
ordinary citizens to participate in a “ride-along”
program with an officer during his/her shift?
A: Yes, however, certain restrictions apply.
A waiver of liability must be completed and signed.
The arrangement is also subject to the approval of the
Chief of Police. Potential “ride-along” candidates
may be subject to a criminal history/background check
prior to any approval. Any person convicted of
certain offenses that would prohibit them from being a
police officer will be denied from participating.
For more information on the “ride-along” program please
visit the police department or call (412) 242-0958
between Monday and Friday from 9:00AM until 5:00PM.
Q: Are there any notable parking restrictions
within the Borough of Edgewood?
A: Yes.
The Borough of Edgewood restricts on-street parking
between 3:00AM and 5:00AM. It requires parked
vehicles to display a valid Borough of Edgewood parking
permit sticker in the top left-hand corner of the rear
window. A $20.00 fine may be levied for any
violations. Also, parking in borough owned parking
lots is strictly prohibited unless a lot permit sticker
is purchased and displayed in the top left-hand corner
of the rear window. This is also a $20.00 fine and
your vehicle may be towed at your expense.
Q: What if I have company staying over?
Can a visitor park on the street overnight without a
permit?
A: Yes. As of January 1,
2011 residents must purchase a “Visitor Pass” tag that
is to be displayed on the rear-view mirror of the
visitor’s vehicle. There is no longer a “call-in”
system in place. This does not apply to borough
owned parking lots.
Q: How do I obtain a Borough of Edgewood
parking permit and/or “Visitor Pass” for on-street
parking or lot spaces? What are the fees?
A: Please visit the police department Monday
through Friday from 8:00AM until 12:00AM to purchase any
parking permits. If you wish to fill one out in
advance, applications can be downloaded
online by clicking the following link for the
Borough of Edgewood Parking Permit Application. (Adobe
Reader required.) The fees and instructions are contained
within the application. Permits purchased after
January 1 for the current year are pro-rated by the
remaining number of months in the year.
Q: How do I pay for a borough parking ticket
issued to my vehicle?
A: Parking
tickets can be mailed in (postage necessary) or paid in
person at the police department Monday through Friday
from 8:00AM until 12:00AM. If you wish to pay
after hours or during the weekend, a drop box is
conveniently located outside the main entrance to the
borough building. It is preferred that you pay by
check or money order. Failing to respond to a
parking ticket will result in a state traffic citation
being issued via US mail. This will include a steeper
fine and additional court costs.
Q: Can the police make extra patrols past my
house if I am away on vacation?
A: Yes.
You may visit the police department in advance between
Monday and Friday from 8:00AM until 12:00AM or call
(412) 242-0958 during that time frame to let us know
when you will be away. An effort will be made to
increase patrols in your area.
Q: Does the Edgewood Police Department charge
fees for responding to false alarm activations?
A: The police department allows for one
non-billable false alarm activation for each residence
or commercial establishment per calendar year. A
second false alarm activation will result in a $30.00
fine. A third or subsequent false alarm activation
will result in a $50.00 fine.
Q: I am moving into or out of the borough and
will be having a large moving truck in front of my
residence. Can I have temporary “No Parking” signs
placed in front of my residence?
A:
Yes. You will need to make arrangements at least
one week prior to your moving date. Arrangements
can be made by visiting or calling the police department
Monday through Friday from 8:00AM until 12:00AM.
The number is (412) 242-0958.
Q: Do I need a permit to solicit within the
Borough of Edgewood, and if so, what are the fees?
A: Yes. All solicitors are required to
have a permit issued by the Borough of Edgewood.
Non-profit or government solicitors are exempt from any
fees but must obtain a permit. The fees for all
others are $25.00 per person/per day and $100.00 per
person/per week. Permits may be obtained by
visiting the borough office Monday through Friday
between 8:30AM and 5:00PM. Using the following
link, you may also download the
Edgewood Borough Permit to Solicit application. (Adobe
Reader required.)
Q: Does the Borough of Edgewood have a curfew
restriction for persons under the age of eighteen, and
if so, what are the requirements?
A:
Yes. Any unaccompanied person(s) under the age of
eighteen may not remain on the streets, alleys, parks,
or public places in the Borough of Edgewood between the
hours of 10:00PM and 5:00AM. Violators, if
stopped, may be subject to a fine of $25.00 plus
additional court costs.
Q: Who is the magistrate for the Borough of
Edgewood and where is their office located?
A: The elected magistrate for Magisterial
District Court #10 is Kimberly M. Hoots. District Court
#10 is located in the Penn West Building at 907 West
Street, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 (Borough of
Wilkinsburg) and the phone number is (412) 241-7052. As
of January 1, 2012 all new court matters will be handled
through this office and no longer at District Court #8
in Forest Hills, PA, due to a magisterial district
re-organization that occurred during the previous year.
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