Alarm registration forms for residents and businesses can be picked up at police headquarters. There is a one time registration fee of $10.00.

• You are allowed two false alarms each calendar year at no charge.
• The third false alarm fee is $25.00.
•  Each additional alarm for the same calendar year is $50.00.

Where is the Park Ridge Court?

Park Ridge is now part of the Pascack Joint Municipal Court - located at:

12 Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645  
(201) 391-5701

Any questions regarding payment of summonses can be directed to the court.  

 What are the court hours?

The court hours are 8:30 a.m. -  4:30 p.m.  Monday thru Friday.

Can I pay a summons online?

To make a payment via the internet or for more information log on to : www.njmcdirect.com

If you cannot make a payment on the internet, the ticket may require a court appearance.  If you are unsure, call the Court.

The Domestic Violence Unit within the Park Ridge Police Department maintains and files all reported Domestic Violence Incidents reported within the Borough of Park Ridge.  The unit also provides updates and in-service training to all officers on any changes to laws and regulations for acts of domestic violence. 

New Jersey domestic violence laws are very strict.  If there are any signs of physical injuries the police must arrest the abuser.  Even without independent witnesses and no physical injuries, police may arrest the abuser.  Domestic violence is a crime under the law, and police must respond to the calls of victims.

All officers within the Park Ridge Police Department  when called to the scene of a domestic violence incident will assist the victim with medical assistance, arresting the abuser, obtaining a restraining order, seeking counseling or securing shelter.  A detailed report on the incident will also be done and maintained at police headquarters.

There is also a NJ nonprofit group called Shelter Our Pets.  They provide temporary foster care to the pets of domestic violence victims. Their hotline number is 973-506-9696.

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is not a disagreement, an anger issue or a normal part of an intimate relationship. Domestic violence is a pattern of many behaviors directed at achieving and maintaining power and control over another person, this includes dating, partner, spousal, and elder abuse, as well as abuse between present or former household members. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of their race, religion, age, economic background, education, or sexual orientation. Domestic Violence is a crime. 

Types of abuse:

Emotional abuse / Psychological Abuse – Name calling, put downs, threats, stalking, intimidation, degradation, tracking time, isolating victim from family or friends, forbidding victim to work or participate in outside activities, sleep deprivation, interrogation, accusing, using money to control, threatening to “out” a gay or lesbian partner, harming pets, destroying property, throwing objects near victim.

Physical Abuse – Pushing, shoving, slapping, kicking, punching, biting, restraint, hair pulling, strangulation, pinching, burning, grabbing, shaking, scratching, spitting, using weapons, throwing objects at victim.

Sexual Abuse – Any non consensual sexual act or behavior, including forced sex, unwanted touching, sexual degradation, and violence targeted at the genital area.

How to Identify if you are in an abusive relationship:

Does your partner.....

• Put you down, constantly criticize you or say blatantly cruel, hurtful things?
• Act in a controlling, jealous manner?
• Criticize the way you parent your children?
• Say things to spite you?
• Bring up the past to hurt you?
• Swear at You?
• Yell and scream at you?
• Give you the Silent Treatment?
• Insist you cater to his/her whims?
• Treat you like a servant?
• Monitor your Time?
• Discourage or prevent you from getting medical care?
• Discourage or prevent you from attending school?
• Discourage or prevent you from socializing with friends?
• Discourage or prevent you from working?
• Accuse you of having affairs?
• Accuse you of constantly flirting with other men / women?
• Demand you stay home with the children?
• Discourage or prevent you from seeing your family?
• Restrict or monitor your use of the car or telephone?
• Prevent you from leaving the house?
• Blame you for his/her temper mood?
• Blame you for his/her use of violence?
• Change moods radically?
• Try to convince you that you are crazy?
• Threaten to hurt him/her self if you left?
• Threaten to hurt him/her self if you don’t do what he/she wants?
• Threaten to have an affair?
• Threaten to leave the relationship?
• Threaten to take your children away?
• Threaten to hurt your children?
• Threaten to commit you to an institution?

How do I report a Domestic Violence Incident?

All police officers in New Jersey are trained in the handling of Domestic Violence incidents. When possible go to your local police headquarters to report any Domestic Violence incident. If you can not get to police headquarters call and an officer will come to you. New Jersey Police officers will assist you at any time of the day or night and explain to you your Domestic Violence rights and what help they can offer.  

What is and how do I get a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)?

When reporting a Domestic Violence incident a victim can request a TRO. All New Jersey police departments are prepared to assist with obtaining a TRO. During regular business hours Monday through Friday anyone can go to the Domestic Violence offices located at the County Court House in Hackensack, New Jersey and request a TRO. At night, weekends or Holiday’s your local Police department can assist with obtaining a TRO. An on call judge is called and the facts are explained to the judge by you and the judge makes a  decisions on granting a TRO. The TRO will name persons and places that the alleged abuser is not allowed to contact or go near. The TRO will state that the abuser is not allowed to contact the victim or have anyone else contact the victim on his/her behalf. The judge may also offer monetary spousal and child care support. Weapons that the abuser might own can also be seized by police. A violation of a restraining order is a crime and any violators will be arrested.  Having a restraining order means you have chosen to end your relationship with someone who has abused you. It is a law enforcement tool meant to help you carry out your decision to end your relationship and keep you safe from your abuser.

What if he/she makes unwanted or harassing calls?

After a restraining order is issued and both the victim and abuser have been served with the order, no contact by either party should be made to the other. If calls are made the following should be done.  Do not delete any caller ID information or answering machine messages and contact police right away.  Prior to making any other phone calls (before even calling police), immediately dial *57 to activate call trace which records the phone number of the last incoming call, let the police know that you have activated call trace so that they can follow up with the phone company about the origin of the call.   Changing your current number to an unpublished number is also an option that can be used. 

What do I do if I have to contact the abuser for Visitation, monetary support, etc.?

If there is any contact by you to the abuser you will be giving him/her a sign that it is OK to violate the restraining order. If there is something that needs to be changed or corrected you must go through the courts to change it. If you are represented by an attorney contact your attorney and he will make the necessary calls to have the order changed or updated. 

Teen dating abuse

A report by the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that 1 in 5 female public high school students experienced physical and/or sexual abuse from their dating partner. Adolescent girls who reported abuse from their dating partners were found to be at higher risk for Substance abuse (alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine), unhealthy weight maintenance, unhealthy sexual behavior, pregnancy and suicide. Alcohol is present in 40 to 50% of incidents of dating violence.

Some characteristics to be aware of at the beginning of a relationship with a potentially abusive partner are:

Possessiveness which surfaces and gets out of control, possessiveness may be expressed by showering the other with gifts, surprise visits, many phone calls, the abuser may be over attentive.

After a while, the abuser may demand to know the exact details of the other’s whereabouts. Possessiveness and jealousy begin to dominate the relationship.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Park Ridge Police if you have questions about Domestic Violence (201-391-5401).  Ask to speak to the Tour Commander (Senior Officer on shift).  We will answer your questions and get you help and/or the resources you need.

What do I do if I need to get fingerprinted?

There are many reasons that people may need to get fingerprinted.

The New Jersey State Police handle some of those areas -  some examples:

• NJ Criminal Records Check
• Private Detective

The New Jersey State Police have contracted a private company to conduct fingerprinting for some of these areas.  Go here to learn more information about he current contract company for the New Jersey State Police.

In certain instances the Park Ridge Police Department will provide fingerprinting for residents.  An example of fingerprinting services is for firearms applications.  If you have any questions, please call the on-duty Tour Commander (Officer in charge of the shift) to arrange for fingerprinting.  Depending on manpower or current calls, a resident may not be able to get fingerprinted that day.  Call Police HQ at 201-391-5400 and request a call back from the Tour Commander  if he is not immediately available to assist you in this matter.

Q. What is the process for purchasing an ID card and/or handgun?

1. You must be 18 years of age to apply for an ID card and 21 years of age to purchase a handgun.
2. The entire process from beginning to end typically takes 2-3 months but can take as long as 6 months depending on the amount of requests on the state level.

The police department moved into it's current home at 33 Park Avenue in February 2005.  Often different groups in town request a tour of headquarters.  Typically a police officer will give a guided tour of the building.  Some of the possible sites to see are the old radio room, the processing area, interrogation room, and the cell area. 

If you are interested in arranging a tour you can contact the police department by phone at 201-391-5401 or send an email.

What do I do if I am stopped by police?

It is important for the public to know that as police officers - safety is our main concern.  Please don't be offended if you are stopped.  

Most citizens already realize that law enforcement is a difficult and dangerous profession. Scores of police officers are killed each year, and hundreds more are injured and assaulted. This is why police officers tend to be cautious. They place a great deal of emphasis on officer safety and survival. Certain safety practices are instilled in our officers from the first day of their careers.  Although the procedures maximize safety for the officer, they may seem standoffish, impolite or offensive to citizens who may not consider such precautions necessary with “them.” Even though you have no intention of doing the officer harm, he will probably maintain a defensive posture until the officer feels that there is no risk of confrontation or injury. As far as police officers are concerned, there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop.  Every stop has the potential for danger.

Treating Citizens With Respect -   Park Ridge Police Officers, from day one, are trained in keeping our community safe and enhancing the quality of life for us all. They are taught to be respectful, professional and courteous in all enforcement stops.

What to do if we stop you !

Traffic stops - what to expect from the park ridge police department

What You Can Expect

• That the officer is courteous and professional and treats you in a respectful manner.
• That you will receive an explanation of why you were stopped.
• That your safety is ensured while in contact with the officer and that he will assist you in getting back on the road safely.
• If you are issued a summons, that it will be explained to you as well as your options for resolving it.

If You Are Stopped

• As soon as you notice the emergency lights, safely pull your vehicle over to the shoulder and stop when it is safe. Although you might not know the reason, you should pull over right away. There may be some problem with your vehicle of which you are unaware.
• Remain in your vehicle while the officer approaches.
• Do not attempt to get out of your vehicle or approach the officer.
• Exiting your vehicle does not assist the officer and may be perceived as a threat.
• For the officer’s safety and yours, remain in your vehicle.
• Keep your hands easily observable, preferably on the steering wheel where they can be easily seen by the approaching officer.
• Reaching under your seat or into your glove box are actions that will cause the officer concern that you may be reaching for a weapon.
• Give your license, registration and your insurance card to the officer if asked.
• He may not be stopping you for the same reason you perceive.
• The officer usually does not have any previous knowledge of you.
• If the officer asks you to step out of your vehicle, do so without any threatening movements.
• Remain in your vehicle at all times unless told to do otherwise.
• Do not become argumentative, disorderly or abusive. If you believe that you have be unfairly treated, DO NOT make that argument on 
  the side of the road. Your best alternative is to carry your protest to traffic court.
• In some cases, officers may ask you for consent to search your vehicle. You have the right to refuse to a consent search.
• Getting pulled over by a police officer can be a stressful and uncomfortable experience, especially if you have never been pulled over before. This brochure is designed to familiarize you with what to expect during a traffic stop from the Park Ridge Police.
• The primary reasons for being pulled over are for your safety and the safety of others.

Highway safety is a primary goal of the Park Ridge Police Department. Through driver education and enforcement, our mission is to keep your friends, your loved ones and you safe on our roadways.

The Park Ridge Police targets four traffic offenses that studies have shown cause the most collisions, injuries and fatalities. These offenses are:

• DUI (driving under the influence of 
  drugs or alcohol);
• Talking/Texting on Hand Held Phone
• Speeding
• Not Wearing Seat Belts

While there are many other traffic violations, these four major areas significantly impact public safety.

Officers carry out the department’s goal of providing a safe motoring environment for the public. They are responsible for enforcing traffic laws, investigating collisions and assisting motorists on the roads. We hope this information will help you feel comfortable with the contact you 
have with the officer.

Police reports and motor vehicle crash reports can be picked up from the Park Ridge Police Department Headquarters (located at 33 Park Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ 07656 - MAP IT) during the hours listed below. In general motor vehicle crash reports will not be available for approximately five business days after the crash occurred.  The release of public records form to be completed before the release of any report can be found by following the forms link on the left of the webpage.  If you have questions as to the availability of a report please contact Fran.

Police Department Headquarters
33 Park Avenue, 
Park Ridge, NJ 07656

Fran
Phone: (201) 391-5401 ext. 5237
Email

Records Hours:
9:00 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday

We look to the public for feedback on how our officers are doing their job.  We appreciate your comments, complaints, or thank you letters.

Please direct your correspondence to Captain Joseph Rampolla

Officers are killed each year doing their jobs.  There were 105 police officers were killed in the United States while doing their jobs in 2013; click here to see up-to-date 2014 statistics 

The potential dangers that officers face each day puts a tremendous amount of stress on each officer.  We continually strive to do our job better and more efficient.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us and tell us how we are doing.  If an officer did something you appreciated then please let us know.  We take good and bad feedback.  All complaints or compliments are handled to move in a positive direction. 

Please be safe.

We care about the public and our citizens.

If you observe an area in town that you feel may be a traffic pattern or an unsafe condition and wish to report it to the police, you can send your traffic complaint by Email.  Your complaint will be forwarded to the traffic unit for review.

Vacant home cards are available at police headquarters.  The police will check you house periodically to make sure everything is in order.  Please come to our headquarters to get a vacant home card.