The following is a list of questions which officers and APD employees are often asked. We hope that these answers will address a few of your concerns.
1. Who do I call to ask about someone who has been arrested?
All information about people in jail can be obtained from calling jail information at 854-9889. The jail is operated by the Travis County Sheriff's Office.
2. What should I do if I’m involved in a collision?
If you are involved in a minor collision where there are no visible signs of injury to persons involved and the vehicles are drivable then move your vehicle out of the travelled portion of the roadway. Cars left in the road contribute to traffic back-ups, which can cause other collisions. In fact, State law requires that motorists move their cars from freeways. Call the police and exchange driver information.
3. Filing police reports – when should I call 9-1-1?
Residents should call 9-1-1 only for police, fire or medical emergencies. When calling 9-1-1, stay on the line and try to remain calm with your information ready. If you are calling to file a police report, it can be made by calling Teleserve at 3-1-1. If you are calling from an area code other than (512) the number to 3-1-1 is 512-974-5750. To contact a specific police employee or unit call 512-974-5000.
4. Where do I get my fingerprints done?
Fingerprinting is done on Wednesdays only from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Austin Police Department Headquarters, 715 E 8th Street. Fingerprinting costs $11.75 by cash, check or money order. Two fingerprint cards are provided.
5. How do I obtain a police report?
In most cases the public portion of police reports can be obtained from the APD Incident Report Database (https://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/reports/index.cfm) . Please read the instructions on how to obtain the report. Make sure to enter the case number exactly how it is shown in the instructions.
For information about purchasing a copy of the public portion of a police report contact the Austin Police Department Report Sales Unit at 512-974-5407 or 512-974-5408. Reports can be purchased at the Main Police Headquarters, located at 715 E 8th Street. Reports are 10 cents a copy and only the public portion is available for purchase from the report sales office. This is the same report that can be obtained from visiting the APD Incident Report Database (https://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/reports/index.cfm). Report Sales hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.
6. How do I obtain a collision report?
Collision reports are NOT available on the APD Incident Report Database https://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/reports/index.cfm). Collision reports may be purchased at the Main Police Headquarters, located at 715 E 8th Street. Report Sales hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays or by mail.
In Person – To obtain a copy of a collision report in person a case number is required. Citizens may call APD Report Sales at 974-5407 or 974-5408 to see if the report is ready before picking it up. If the drivers were handed Blue Forms (driver’s crash reports) at the scene of the collision then the Blue Forms is considered the police report and there will not be a report to purchase from APD. Drivers should keep copies of their Blue Forms before mailing them to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for insurance purposes.
Mail – To obtain a copy of a collision report by mail a self addressed, stamped and certified envelope containing $6 (cash, check or money order) must be mailed to:
Austin Police Department
Report Sales
715 East 8th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
7. Obtaining information through open records – To obtain information through open records citizens must submit an open records request to the Austin Police Department. Requests must be made in writing. Citizens may either send their request by email to Don Field at don.field@ci.austin.tx.us or by fax to 512-974-6662. Requests may also be mailed to the address listed above. By law, the Austin Police Department has ten business days to respond to the open records request.
8. How do I take care of traffic tickets?
To take care of traffic tickets or traffic warrants contact the City of Austin Municipal Court at 512-974-4800. Traffic tickets can be paid either at the Municipal Court in downtown Austin, at Court’s south substation at 5700 Manchaca Road or at the Court’s north substation located service center in the Austin Police North Substation at 12425 Lamplight Village. Tickets can be paid at Municipal Court between 7 a.m. 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday Friday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. The court is open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. The north and south substations North Substation Service Center is located at 12425 Lamplight Village. It is are open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
9. How do I start a neighborhood watch?
Participation in a neighborhood watch program can help reduce crime in your area. To be eligible for a neighborhood watch sign, it is preferred that fifty percent of your neighborhood or block must attend one to three meetings where helpful information on personal and property crimes is shared. Tips include how to reduce your chances of being attacked. Contact your neighborhood association president, or your area District Representative Unit (citywide map link) for more information.
10. How can I find out more about APD?
The Austin Police Department offers a twelve week training course called the Citizens Police Academy (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/downloads/CPA%20Application.pdf). The program is designed to give the public a working knowledge of the department. Instruction consists of lectures, demonstrations, tours and rides with police officers. If you are interested in registering for the course, contact Senior Police Officer Dennis Farris at 512-974-5941 or visit http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/downloads/CPA%20Application.pdf.
11. How do I find out information about felony warrants?
If you want to provide APD with a tip about a fugitive or check on felony warrants, call 512-974-5299.
12. Towed Vehicle Information?
a. Where is my vehicle?
(Towed from private property)
At the entrance/exit of a parking lot, red and white signs should be posted with the name and phone number of the tow company for citizens to call and find out exactly where their vehicle is located. They can also inquire with the property manager.
(Impounded by the City)
The vehicle was towed by Southside Wrecker at 8200 South Congress Avenue, 512-441-7094. For abandoned vehicles, call Southside Wrecker at 512 441-3111, 4308 Terry-O Lane.
b. Why was it towed?
The most common reasons for non-consent tows from private property are not having a permit properly displayed, not parking in a designated spot, or parking and leaving the premises without doing business in one of the establishments of the parking lot. Additionally, cars are sometimes repossessed by the lender or impounded for being abandoned or a traffic hazard on the road.
c. What is the tow law?
The City Ordinance related to towing can be found at the following Web site under Title 13, Section 6: The Code of the City of Austin, TX. http://www.amlegal.com/austin_nxt/gateway.dll/Texas/austin/thecodeofthecityofaustintexas?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0
Additionally, a citizen has the right to request a hearing with the Justice of the Peace contesting the non-consent tow. The Bill of Rights can be found here and a Spanish Version is also available.
d. How much is it?
Most vehicles redeemed the same day of impoundment will cost around $193.00 ($150.00 towing fee, $20.00 impound fee, $20.00 storage fee, plus tax). Additionally, fees may apply if the vehicle is larger than 10,000 lbs and if a winch is needed to tow it. Please refer to the tow fee schedule.
13. Who is my detective?
Central Bureau
Northeast (map) – 512-974-5491
North Central (map) – 512-974-5851
Central East (map) – 512-974-4246
North Bureau
Central West (map) – 512-974-5320
Downtown (map) – 512-974-5777
Northwest (map) – 512-974-6973
South Bureau
Southeast (map) – 512-974-8218
Southwest (map) – 512-974-8221
South Central (map) – 512-974-6999
14. What is my case status?
a. Why haven’t I heard from my detective yet?
The case must be submitted through a computerized system that checks for errors and routes the report to the appropriate division. Once the case arrives to the correct division, a supervisor must assign the case to a detective. Once the case is assigned, it is prioritized by the detective. If there is an error in the way the report was written or filed a delay is possible. If the detective is working weekends, nights or hours outside of the time the case was assigned a delay is possible.
b. Has my property been found?
If your property was found, and if the Detective has a way to contact you he or she will contact you and talk to you about returning the property.
c. I’ve realized there is additional stolen property.
If you have not been contacted by a detective, call 3-1-1 with your case number to update the case and property information over the phone (this includes adding serial numbers and other case information.)
15. Noise issues
a. Barking Dogs
If you need immediate assistance, call 3-1-1. If the matter can wait, call your District Representative Unit (map)
Central Bureau
Northeast (map) - Joe Rodriguez 512-974-5576
North Central (map) – Joe Rodriguez 512-974-5576
Central East (map) – Jennette Rodriguez 512-974-4246
North Bureau
Central West (map) - Shari Anderson 512-974-5340
Downtown (map) – Shari Anderson 512-974-5340
Northwest (map) – Michelle Menchaca 512-974-5589
South Bureau
Southeast (map) – Arlene Lozano 512-974-5999
Southwest (map) – Yvonne Ortegon 512-974-5571
South Central (map) – Sally Becerra 512-974-5903
b. What is the noise ordinance?
The Noise Ordinance is found in Chapter 9-2 of the City of Austin Codes and Ordinances.
It briefly states that a person may not make an unreasonable noise between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. or create a sound or vibration more than 30 feet from a vehicle. The ordinance is here ( http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Texas/austin/thecodeofthecityofaustintexas?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:austin_tx$anc=).
c. Why didn’t officers do anything?
Officers are required by their Standard Operating Procedures to issue a warning first. If the violation is no longer occurring, the Officer will attempt to identify the suspect and provide that information to the complainant for the filing of charges. In some situations, without a complainant (someone other than the officer willing to make a formal court charge), the Officer cannot take enforcement action.
d. Loud people/parties
If you need immediate assistance, call 3-1-1. If the matter can wait, call your District Representative (map).
Central Bureau
Northeast (map) - Joe Rodriguez 512-974-5576
North Central (map) – Joe Rodriguez 512-974-5576
Central East (map) – Jennette Rodriguez 512-974-4246
North Bureau
Central West (map) - Shari Anderson 512-974-5340
Downtown (map) – Shari Anderson 512-974-5340
Northwest (map) – Michelle Menchaca 512-974-5589
South Bureau
Southeast (map) – Arlene Lozano 512-974-5999
Southwest (map) – Yvonne Ortegon 512-974-5571
South Central (map) – Sally Becerra 512-974-5903
16. Parking Issues
a. Is this allowed?
You cannot park or block a sidewalk, front yard, or side yard.
b. Who can I call to get my street parking changed?
Call 3-1-1.
16. Legal Advice
a. Is this a crime?
When in doubt, contact the District Representative’s office for your area.
b. This ought to be a crime.
No city employee can make something illegal. Only your Elected Officials can create new laws and ordinances/
c. Contract Disputes.
These are civil matters that only a court can enforce. An officer cannot assist with contract disputes.
d. Child Custody Disputes.
Unless there is another violation of a law, or if there is immediate concern for the welfare of a child, an officer will not make an arrest. The officer will document the violation in an offense report.
e. Rental/Tenant Issues.
Unless there is some other violation of a law, this is a civil issue that an officer cannot mediate. If the court orders a person removed from a property, a City Marshall will serve the eviction notice. The Constables Office may ask for assistance from the Austin Police Department. Interfering with a court ordered eviction is a violation of the law.
17. Issues we refer to District Representatives/Narcotics/Patrol
a. How do I get extra patrol?
b. How do I get patrol while out of town?
c. Cars parked in yards?
Call your District Representative Unit (map)
Central Bureau
Northeast (map) - Joe Rodriguez 512-974-5576
North Central (map) – Joe Rodriguez 512-974-5576
Central East (map) – Jennette Rodriguez 512-974-4246
North Bureau
Central West (map) - Shari Anderson 512-974-5340
Downtown (map) – Shari Anderson 512-974-5340
Northwest (map) – Michelle Menchaca 512-974-5589
South Bureau
Southeast (map) – Arlene Lozano 512-974-5999
Southwest (map) – Yvonne Ortegon 512-974-5571
South Central (map) – Sally Becerra 512-974-5903
d. I want something done about all of the drugs in my area.
e. I have information on a drug courier coming through town.
f. I have information about known drug dealer at a location right now.
Call the Narcotics Hotline at 512-974-8609
g. All previously listed noise issues to patrol.
Request that an officer contact you and follow up with your District Representative Unit.
h. Other code enforcement issues.
Call Code Enforcement at 3-1-1 (Per Code Enforcement’s web page) or fill out a complaint online at: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/sws_info.cfm
