FAQ's
Q: How do I obtain copies of police reports?
A: Police reports are available the following business day after the report has been taken. Reports are available at the Records Division, inside the Police Headquarters, Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:15pm. The Records Division is closed on all Federal and State holidays. There is a cost for all reports according to the type of report and its length.
In accordance with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), persons requesting copies of any records must complete a records request form.
Q: Does the Police Department offer fingerprinting services?
A: Fingerprinting services are available Tuesday-Friday 7am-12:00 noon, No Holidays. There is a $20.00 fee for this. For further information please call the Records Division at (201) 251-4531.
Q: Do I need to register my alarm?
A: In accordance with Village Ordinance No. 1785, all residential and business alarms must be registered with the Police Department. Repeated false alarms will be subjected to fines as outlined in ordinance.
Q: I understand that Ridgewood Police Department is often in need of School Crossing Guards. Who do I contact to become one?
A: Being a school crossing guard is rewarding, part-time work that makes a positive contribution to the safety of our children. Contact Tom Shortway at (201) 251-4531.
Q: Can I leave a dumpster in the road in front of my house?
A: Applications for dumpster permits can be obtained through the Records Division. Please call (201) 251-4531 for more information.
Q: How do I get a handicapped placard for my vehicle?
A: Temporary handicapped permits can be obtained through the Records Division. Please call (201) 251-4531 for more information.
Parking
Q: Can I leave my vehicle parked in the street overnight?
A: Parking in the roadway is prohibited from 2am-6am. If for some reason you need to leave a vehicle in the roadway overnight, you must call (201) 652-3900 prior to 2 am and request permission. Permission will only be granted if there is no way to park a vehicle in your driveway or parking lot.
For extended overnight or special circumstance daytime parking permission, please send a written request to:
Ridgewood Police
Attn: Capt. T. Landers
131 N. Maple Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Q: When do I have to pay the parking meters?
A: Parking meters are in effect on Monday through Saturday from 9am - 8pm, except for Federal Holidays.
To report a problem with a parking meter, please call the Signal Division at (201) 670-5580. If you received a ticket and feel that it is because of a broken meter, please call Violations at (201) 670-5500 ext. 501.
Q: Where can I park for more than 2 hours?
A: 12-hour meters are available at the train station but require a permit that can be obtained by Village residents at Village Hall. Employees of stores in the Central Business District (CBD) can apply for a permit to park at specially designated 12-hour CBD meters. The Cottage Place parking lot has a limited number of 12-hour meters that do not need a permit.
Q: How do I obtain a parking permit for the train station?
A: The Village Hall Receptionist handles the parking permits for the train station. For a new permit, you must fill out an application, and bring the in your driver's license showing your Ridgewood address and the registration for the car(s) for which you wish to obtain permit(s). If you are a new resident and have not yet changed the address on your driver's license, the Receptionist will need to see a copy of your lease or deed showing that you rent or own a dwelling in Ridgewood. A temporary parking permit will be issued to you for thirty days. After the thirty day period, you must bring in your permanent registration and driver's license for a permanent parking permit.
For a renewal, you may handle it through the mail. You must send in a photocopy of your driver's license and the registration of the car(s) for which you wish to obtain permit(s). You must also send a stamped, self-addressed envelope, so that we may mail the permit back to you. The permits for the following year are usually available after December 20th. You are not sent a renewal notice; you must remember to renew your parking permit, which expires every December 31st.
The parking permit allows Ridgewood residents to park at the meters at the train station. It does not reserve a parking place, it is first come, first served, every day. The permits themselves are free; however, the commuter must pay the meter. The cost is $3.00 in quarters for 12 hours. The metered parking ends at 6:00 P.M.
Form (view with Acrobat Reader) is available at parking.pdf
Q: How do I obtain an application for a Central Business District parking permit?
A: Form (view with Acrobat Reader) is available by Clicking Here.
Traffic
Q: Can I use my cell phone while driving?
A: Effective Saturday, March 1, 2008, the use of a hand-held telephone or electronic communicating device by the operator of a moving motor vehicle will become a primary offense. The operator of a vehicle may utilize such a device to report crimes and other emergencies to appropriate authorities. The utilization of a hands-free device is allowed under the statue. The Ridgewood Police will be enforcing the amended law, specifically, N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.3, which incurs a fine of $100.00 and no points assessed to the violator's drivers license.
Q: Does the Police Department concentrate on certain roadways where speeding vehicles are a problem?
A: The Police Department's Traffic Division handles these complaints and problem areas. Police units are assigned to enforcement details in areas where traffic problems have been determined to exist. If you have a specific complaint, please refer it to the Traffic Division, Ptl. Mark Butler at (201) 251-4540.
Q: Can I have my child seat installed in my car?
A: The Ridgewood Police Department offers limited assistance to Village residents by appointment only. Please call the Traffic Safety Office at (201) 251-4540 for further information.
Miscellaneous
Q: How early in the morning can I start construction and/or use construction tools at my house?
A: Village Ordinance 222-1 sets the guidelines for the use of construction equipment:
Chapter 222: POWER TOOLS, LANDSCAPING AND YARD MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT
§ 222-1. Commercial use.
A. Commercial use of power tools or landscaping and yard maintenance equipment and motorized construction equipment is permitted in the Village of Ridgewood in all residential zones or within 200 feet of a residential property line when such use is conducted on a commercial or industrial property during the following times only:
(1) From Monday to Friday, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; and
(2) On Saturday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
(3) Such operation is prohibited entirely on Sundays.
B. The Village Manager shall have the authority to permit the otherwise prohibited uses in the case of an emergency and on Sundays pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Manager and approved by the Village Council.
§ 222-2. Exceptions.
This chapter shall not apply to power machinery used for ice and snow removal.
Q: How do find out about school closings?
A: School closings are announced by the Ridgewood Public Schools and a phone notification is sent via Swift Reach. Additionally, parents may register for E-News with their child’s school, which will send email notification. Lastly, please check the Ridgewood Public Schools website for updates. Do not call the police department for this information.
Q: I receive calls from solicitors requesting donations for various police related associations. Are these legitimate? Should I donate to these solicitors?
A: The Ridgewood Police Department does not solicit over the telephone. The Police Department is a part of the Ridgewood PBA Local #20. The only solicitation done from the Police Department or PBA Local 20 is through the mail, usually once annually. Calls from all other "law enforcement" organizations are done by telemarketing firms. These solicitations, DO NOT benefit the Ridgewood Police Department or PBA Local 20 in any way. These telemarketers are not Police Officers and use high pressure tactics to get you to participate. Several of them will say there solicitations benefit Bergen County Police Agencies.
We urge you to use extreme caution should you decide to contribute to these agencies. The only organization making money from these solicitations is the telemarketing firm. If you decide to contribute to any of these organizations, always ask for the name, address and telephone number so that you may call back after careful consideration. Most of them will not give out this information. You may also ask for financial statements and/or budget information prior to making your decision. If you have any questions please direct them to the Police Department.
Q: Who do I call to report problems with neighbors regarding property and/or zoning disputes?
A: Any civil disputes of this nature should be referred to the Building or Engineering Departments (201) 670-5500. The Police Department does not get involved in these types of civil matters.