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Use the links below to access official police department communications, as well as commonly requested information about permits, programs, and other resources.

Police Communications

Permits

Resources

Identity Theft Information
- Department of Justice
Online Police Reporting
- What do I do if online incident reporting is not right for me?
- What if this happened in another city can I file a report using this online police citizen reporting system?
- What if this happened on a state Freeway?
- What is a known suspect?
Quality of Life Issues
- How can I report a broken street light?
- How can I report a broken traffic light?
- How to Report a Missing Person
- What can I do about graffiti?
- What can I do about my noisy neighbors?
- What can I do about street gangs in my neighborhood?
  The first and most important step is to become aware of gangs, gang members, and their activities. Individuals armed with this basic knowledge are better able to avoid becoming victims of a gang attack.
  
  Prevention is the key to controlling gang activity. Gangs attempt to instill fear. They intimidate rivals and citizens alike. The gang’s power grows through the use of fear and intimidation. They can be countered by citizen action groups such as the Neighborhood Watch. A neighborhood that is united and dedicated in a spirit of cooperation toward stopping crime and violence will greatly hamper gang efforts to flourish. Everyone has the responsibility to overcome apathy and fear. We must work toward a solution to the gang problem.
  Parents and educators who suspect gang activity should:
  - Talk to the child or teenager and discuss the consequences of being in a gang
  - Talk to school officials and counselors inquiring if they are aware of campus problems and if there are any school programs that might help
  - Contact government agencies such as your local law enforcement agency or juvenile authority. They may have a crime prevention or gang specialist who can give you valuable guidance. The Redwood City Police Department has a number of programs which may be of assistance to families dealing with gang affiliated youths
  - Seek advice from religious leaders. They may know of programs that help neighborhood children stay out of gangs
  - Report and immediately remove any graffiti in your neighborhood or local school grounds. The longer it remains, the more it attracts gang members
  - Take action – this is the most important step you can take as an individual, a group or an organization. Do not ignore the signs of gang activity.
  When gang related incidents occur, cooperate with authorities. Your help and cooperation may prevent others from becoming victims of gang violence. NON-EMERGENCY information concerning gang crimes, wanted suspects, or any gang activity should be referred to their local police stations.
  For EMERGENCIES only, call 9-1-1.
  
  Contact your local law enforcement agency for up-to-date information. The Redwood City Police Department has a number of highly trained gang prevention and enforcement specialists that can help your family or neighborhood fight gang activity. Its crime prevention or gang specialists can help your neighborhood plan ways to fight gang activity. They can help you organize:
  - A Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood
  - A graffiti abatement or clean-up program
  - An intervention program for a young person at risk or involved in gang activity
Sex Offender Information
- Megan's Law
  http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
Traffic/Vehicle Related
- How can I find out if my vehicle has been towed?
- How can I get my vehicle out of impound?
- How can I obtain a copy of a police report or traffic report?
- How do I make a traffic accident report?
  A traffic collision report will be completed under the following circumstances:
  - The traffic collision occurred within the City of Redwood City
  - A person involved in the traffic collision has been injured
    (complaint of pain is considered injury) or dies.
  - One of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  - One of the drivers has fled the location without stopping to exchange information
    or check on the welfare of the other parties involved.
  - City property is involved (City vehicle, light post, signal post, etc.)
  Call 911 in cases of emergencies, or call 780-7100 for non-emergencies.
  
  Any person involved in a traffic collision can go to the police station to make a report. The report should be made as soon as possible. The person reporting the collision needs to bring along the following information:
  - The time and location (street address/cross streets) where the collision occurred.
  - The license plate number of the vehicle he or she was driving
    when they were involved in the traffic collision.
  - Driver’s license
  - Insurance information (name of the insurance company and their policy number).
  - The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all passengers in their vehicle
  - If known, the license plate numbers, names, addresses,
    and phone numbers of all other involved drivers and passengers.
- I received a parking ticket, can I pay for it online?
- I received a parking ticket, what do I do? How can I contest the citation?
- I received a traffic citation, what do I do? How can I contest the citation?
  For all violations, your court date, time, and location are on the front of the notice to appear. Have the citation with you when contacting the court. In all infraction cases you must do one or more of the following for each violation:
  - Pay the fine (bail).
  - Appear in court.
  - Contest the violation
  - Correct the violation (when applicable**)
  - Request traffic school (when applicable).
  - Request trial by written declaration.
  If you do not do one of the above actions, then a “failure to appear” charge will be filed against you (Veh. Code, 40508(a)) and your driver’s license may be withheld, suspended, or revoked.
  
  If you DO NOT contest the violation:
  - Pay the bail amount. Contact the court for bail information. You will not have to appear in court. You will be convicted of the violation, and it will appear on your record at the DMV. A point count may be charged to your DMV record and your insurance may be adversely affected.
  - Traffic School. You may be able to avoid the point count by completing traffic school. You must pay the bail amount, and you may have to pay other fees. After you attend traffic school the violation will be dismissed and the point count will not be added to your DMV record. Contact the court to request traffic school.
  To contest the violation:
  - Court trial. Send a certified or registered letter postmarked no later than five days prior to the appearance date or go into the traffic court before the appearance date to request a future court trial date. You will be required to submit the bail amount.
  - Trial by Written Declaration. Send a certified or registered letter postmarked no later than five days prior to the appearance date or go to the court before the appearance date to request a trial by written declaration. Submit the bail amount. You will be given forms to allow you to write a statement and to submit other evidence without appearing in court. The Officer will also submit a written statement, The judicial officer will consider the evidence and decide the case.
  For more information call the clerk of the court at:
  Southern Branch –Traffic
  500 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063
  (650) 363-4300
- What are the reporting requirements if I’ve been involved in a traffic accident?
  A traffic collision report will be taken when one of the following reporting criteria is met:
  - A person involved in the traffic collision has been injured (complaining of pain is considered injury) or dies.
  - One of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  - One of the drivers has fled the location without stopping to exchange information or check on the welfare of the other parties involved.
  - City property is involved (City vehicle, light post, signal light, etc.).
  A traffic collision report may be taken for property damage only, at the request of one of the parties.
- What are the top five violations that cause traffic collisions?
- What can be done about illegally parked vehicles, such as those blocking a driveway?
- What should I do if I’ve been involved in a traffic accident?

Department of Justice

What do I do if online incident reporting is not right for me?

What if this happened in another city can I file a report using this online police citizen reporting system?

What if this happened on a state Freeway?

What is a known suspect?

How can I report a broken street light?

How can I report a broken traffic light?

How to Report a Missing Person

What can I do about graffiti?

What can I do about my noisy neighbors?

What can I do about street gangs in my neighborhood?

Megan's Law

How can I find out if my vehicle has been towed?

How can I get my vehicle out of impound?

How can I obtain a copy of a police report or traffic report?

How do I make a traffic accident report?

I received a parking ticket, can I pay for it online?

I received a parking ticket, what do I do? How can I contest the citation?

I received a traffic citation, what do I do? How can I contest the citation?

What are the reporting requirements if I’ve been involved in a traffic accident?

What are the top five violations that cause traffic collisions?

What can be done about illegally parked vehicles, such as those blocking a driveway?

What should I do if I’ve been involved in a traffic accident?