- When should I call 911?
For all incidents that require an immediate response by the police, you should call 911. Although this response is qualitative in nature, the best suggestion is to call 911 when you know that someone is injured, someone may be injured or loss or damage to property may be imminent without quick police response.
If you find yourself questioning as to whether you should call 911 or the business line (567-3311) call 911. The dispatcher will evaluate the urgency of the call and courteously instruct you what to do.
- What hours is the Longmeadow Police Department open?
Your police department is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. We are prepared to respond to the needs and answer any questions, anytime of the day or night. Although we are open all of the time, our business hours for items such as request of reports and License to Carry Permits are between 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday.
- Are community groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school groups or other youth organizations allowed to tour the Longmeadow Police Department?
We welcome all groups but recommend that you contact the Community Service Bureau at 565-4196 for further details and to set up an appointment.
- Who should I call if I am aware of an immediate traffic hazard?
Call 911 if you feel that someone is injured or about to be injured or property damage is imminent without immediate police response. Otherwise, call the business line at 567-3311. A police officer will respond immediately to remedy the hazard. If this is a problem that can be rectified with proper signage, the Safety officer will be contacted to further evaluate the situation.
- Who should I call when the power is lost?
The electric power utility for Longmeadow is Western Massachusetts Electric Company/ Northeast Utilities. The phone number for reporting loss of power and other problems is (413) 781-4300 or 1-(800) 286-2000.
- What should I do if I find a dead bird in my yard? (West Nile)
Effective June 11, 2001, all reports should be directed to the Board of Health at 565-4140. After hour calls should be made directly to 1-866-627-7968 and for online reports go to http://www.state.ma.us/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm
The Board of Health will not pick up any samples. All residents are instructed to dispose of all dead bird. Birds may be double-bagged and disposed of in the trash. Birds should not be handled with bare hands.
- What should I do if I think that there is a rabid animal (raccoon, skunk, etc.) in my neighborhood?
Keep all people and pets away from the suspicious animal. Call the Longmeadow Police Department at 567-3311 for assistance.
- What can I do about an animal problem such a raccoon in a chimney?
This is a function that the police officers are not trained to handle nor do they have the proper equipment. If you call, a police officer will respond to your residence to ensure that you and your family are safe from injury.
We will recommend that you call an Animal Wildlife Removal Service such as Nature's Creatures at 413-782-8887 which provide 24 hours service.
- How do I appeal a parking ticket?
Appeals MUST BE MADE IN WRITING by the registered owner of the vehicle to:
Parking Clerk/Town of Longmeadow
20 Williams Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106
- When is the all night parking ban in effect?
The all night parking is in effect all year round. A person shall not leave a vehicle unattended on a public way for more than one hour at any time between the hour of 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM.
- How long do I have before I remove the snow from my sidewalk?
A person who is a resident or owner of a property shall clear the ice or snow from the sidewalk within twenty-four hours after the precipitation has stopped.If the sidewalk becomes covered with ice and cannot be readily removed, the resident or owner shall place sand or ashes on the sidewalk.
- What can be done about loud music?
If you are being annoyed by loud music you can call the police and we will ask the offender to lower the volume. Article 6 Section 407 of the towns by-law prohibits "the playing of a radio or musical instrument in a manner or with such a volume particularly during the hours between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am."
A $25.00 fine will be imposed on those who fail to comply with this chapter and section.
- How do I register a complaint if my neighbor's dog is barking?
Just call us at 567-3311. We will respond to your complaint by asking the owner to bring their dog inside.
- Do I need to report to the police if I've been involved in a motor vehicle accident?
If you are involved in any type of motor vehicle accident (no matter how minor) you must stop and identify yourself to the other driver(s) or property owner(s) involved. If the damage to the other vehicle(s) or property exceeds $1000.00, or if someone is injured (no matter how minor), or if one of the vehicles involved has fled the scene then you must report the accident. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, section 26, you have five business days to file an accident report. Your license can be suspended or revoked if you fail to submit an accident report within this time period.
- What should I do if I've been involved in an accident and I need to report it?
Safety should be your first priority. If you can do so safely, move your vehicle to a safe location, such as the side of the road. Try not to alter the appearance of the accident scene or alter any damage to your vehicle. Once the police officer arrives on the scene, you will be asked for your driver's license and registration as well as a series of questions regarding the cause of your accident. Do not try to assess blame or make accusations regarding other drivers or people involved. Just state the facts, and the police officer or your insurance company will make the final determination of fault. You must also complete a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Operators Accident Report. You can obtain a copy of this form online or at any police department in Massachusetts or at any branch of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
- How do I get a copy of a police report?
For further information please check out our Records Bureau web page.
- Do you provide letters of good conduct?
Yes. Submit a letter of request to Chief Richard Marchese requesting a letter of good conduct. A record check will be performed and a letter will be provided. Please include your full name, date of birth, address, and your social security number.
- Does the Longmeadow Police Department fingerprint town residents for background checks or employment purposes? If so, what is the cost?
Yes. We provide this service to all town residents. Please contact Officer Robert Parsons of the records bureau at 567-3311, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. This service is provided free of charge.
- If I am stopped by the police for speeding, what should I do?
Stop your vehicle as far out of the lane of traffic as possible. Stay in your vehicle and turn on your interior light. Good lighting assists good communication. Relax and remain in your vehicle. If you leave the vehicle, you subject yourself and the officer to danger.
Keep your hands in view at all times, preferable on the steering wheel. Wait for the officer to request your license and registration.
Police officers are trained to ask for your identification first, and provide an explanation for the stop second. Then, give the officer a chance to explain. Providing your documents will speed the process. Remember, in most cases, the officer is in uniform, displaying a badge and name tag. You have the advantage of knowing with whom you are dealing. Extend the courtesy by presenting the requested paperwork without an argument. It makes sense and it's the law.
If the officer writes you a citation, do not argue. If you think that the citation was wrongly issued, the proper procedure is to request a hearing through district court. Read the back of the citation for further instructions.
- Who has to wear a seat belt?
Under MGL. Chapter 90 Section 13A, the operator and all passengers are required to wear seat belts. Failure to comply will result in a $25.00 fine.
If the operator is unbelted, him or her will receive the citation.
If a passenger is at least 12 years old but not yet 16, then the operator will be cited. They are responsible for all younger passengers.
If an unbelted passenger is 16 years of age or older, then the passenger will be cited directly.
Under this section, the officer cannot stop a vehicle based on the fact that an operator or passengers are not wearing a seat belt. There must be a separate reason for the initial stop.
- What are the requirements for child restraints in a vehicle?
Under MGL. Chapter 90 Section 7AA :
Infants & small children, who are under 5 years old and weigh less than 40 lbs., must ride in a federally approved child passenger restraint. (Child seat)
Children, who are under 5 years old but weigh more than 40 lbs., must ride in a booster seat.
Children who are 5 years old or older, and who weigh more than 40 lbs., must ride with a seat belt. However, it is highly recommended that they use a booster seat.
Under this section an officer may stop a vehicle whose passengers may be in violation of this law. This is a primary stop and the officer needs no other reason for the stop.
- What can I do about a speeding problem on my street or in my neighborhood?
Call us at 567-3311 and inform the dispatcher of your observations and the general times of the infractions. We will dispatch a cruiser to the area to run radar. Although officers routinely patrol side streets, it is you, the resident who is most aware of changing traffic patterns in your neighborhood. We rely on you to bring it to our attention in order to avert tragedy.
- Can the police provide assistance if I have locked myself out of my house?
Yes. We will respond to your home and attempt to gain entry in the least obtrusive manner possible. If we find that the equipment that we have will not be of any benefit, the fire department will be notified to lend us a hand.
- Do you register bicycles?
Yes. For further information check out our bike registration web page.
- Should I report suspicious activity in my neighborhood?
Yes! The Police Department depends upon town residents to call in reports of crimes or suspicious activity. You will be asked questions about the activity to determine its nature and ask for details.
- Who can I call to have a home security survey done?
You can call the Longmeadow Police Department at 567-3311 to make an appointment with the Crime Prevention Bureau. This is a free service.
- What should I do when I'm going on vacation?
- Contact the Longmeadow Police Department at 567-3311 to inform of your vacation plans.
- Don't leave large amounts of cash or jewelry in your home. Consider use of a safe deposit box. - Consider using a trusted friend or a relative as a house sitter while you're away.
- Check and lock all doors and windows.
- Make arrangements for pickup of newspaper and mail (consider stop delivery).
- Have your lawn mowed on a regular schedule.
- Consider having a close neighbor park their car in your driveway.
- Don't publicize your trip until after your return.
- I return home and find my front door open. Should I go in?
NO. Go to a neighbor's house and call the police. If you return home and notice anything suspicious such as a broken window or an alarm sounding, DON'T GO IN. You want to avoid any interaction with an intruder.
- How do I avoid becoming a victim of a scam or identity theft?
There are several things you can do to avoid being the victim of a scam or identity theft:
- Never give anyone your personal information, especially if you do not know who they are. That includes providing or confirming your address, bank account, credit card numbers, phone numbers or date of birth.
- Do not write account numbers on the outside of payment envelopes.
- Destroy any records, canceled checks, receipts, deposit slips, etc. before throwing them away. If you have a shredder, use it. If not, tear the bills, receipts, etc. into tiny pieces and try to put them in different trash cans.
- Anytime you are asked to pay money to get a "free" gift you should refuse to pay the money. It is likely that the offer is fraudulent and even if you were to receive the gift it would be a cheap imitation item.
- Guard your Social Security number. Do not have it imprinted on checks. If it is requested by a business, ask if there is an alternate ID that can be used. If not, ask for an explanation why the number is needed. It should not be used for identification purposes.
- Check with the National Fraud Information Center or 1-800-876-7060. NFIC provides lots of valuable resources about telephone, mail and online scams.
- Always use common sense. If you have a gut feeling that something is not legitimate, you are probably right.
- What should I do if I suspect that I am a victim of an identity theft?
You should first contact your local police and make a report. You can then use that police report to request that the consumer credit reporting agencies block any information that you contend appears on your credit report as a result of an identity theft.
Check out the Federal Trade Commission's webpage for more information on identity theft-
"When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name" .
