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Police FAQ

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1. How do have a child safety seat installed?

You can contact the Police Department at 847-588-6500 and ask to schedule an appointment. Our child safety seat technicians work various shifts and are only available by apointment.

2. Am I required to have an animal license for my pet?

Animal tags are required for all dogs and cats and are available free of charge. At the time of application, proof of rabies inoculation is required. To obtain an animal license, stop by the Administration Building Finance Department at 1000 Civic Center Drive, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

3. What to do about a barking dog in my neighborhood?

The keeping of any animal or bird which by causing frequent or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort or repose of any persons in the vicinity.

4. When should I use 911?

Call 911 when there is a life or death emergency that requires the immediate response of emergency service such as police, fire, or an ambulance.

5. How do I obtain a copy of a police report for my insurance company?

Copies of Police reports are available after 5 business days. Please contact the Niles Police Department prior to coming in to pick it up. Police Reports will not be mailed out. There may be a charge for Police Reports.

6. What can I do about annoying/harassing/threatening phone calls?

First to deal with harassing telephone calls do not engage the caller or attempt to speak with the caller. Note the date, time and if possible the telephone number that the call originated from. Then file a police report by contact the police department at 847-588-6500. Harassing Telephone Calls are a quasi criminal offense. In which, that the offender can only typically be fined by a court for the offense. However, if the offender is stalking or in violation of an order of protection criminal penalties can include jail and a fine.

7. Who do I call when I get a bounced check?

Residents who do not have a business may make a police report by coming into to the Police Department and completing a report. If you are business owner, check cases are handled on Monday mornings after 9 a.m. at the Niles Police Department.

8. What information do you have regarding senior citizens?

Unfortunately, senior citizens are a target of fraud and abuse. Just remember, NEVER release personal information over the telephone or to a stranger who has come to your home. NEVER give out your date of birth, driver’s license number, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers to anyone! If you think you have been a victim of a crime or have accidentally given personal information to someone, you may call the police department any time at 847-588-6500. Other agencies who assist senior citizens are: Senior Help Abuse Hotline 800/252-8955 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday 800/279-0400 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Monday thru Friday and on weekends Hard of Hearing 800/526-0844.

9. What are the driving rules when a police vehicle is approaching with lights and siren on?

Under Illinois Vehicle Code section 625, any vehicle, other than the emergency vehicle, must pull over to the right hand edge of the curb, clear any intersection they may be in, and come to a stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Any vehicle making a turn must also do the same, when safe to do so, to allow the emergency vehicle to pass. Any pedestrian must proceed to the nearest curb and stay there until the emergency vehicle has passed.

10. How do I set up a tour of the police department?

To schedule a tour of the Police Department or to speak to your organization please call Deputy Chief Genualdi at 847-588-6502.

11. What if someone calls asking for a donation on behalf of the police department

The Niles Police Department does not solicit from it’s residents for donations. At times you may receive calls from fundraisers associated with legitimate organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police or the Metropolitan Association of Police Professionals or the Teamsters. The Niles Police Department does not benefit from donations to these organizations. However, if you wish to donate please do so responsibly. You should always be treated respectfully by callers from these organizations.

12. What can I do about persons lighting fireworks?

Please call the non-emergency number to report the violations. Possession of fireworks is illegal both by Village Ordinance and State Law. Offenders can be issued an ordinance violation or potentially arrested for possession of fireworks.

13. How do I go about getting fingerprints for employment/background?

Fingerprinting is done by appointment only. You must call 847-588-6500 to schedule an appointment. The fee for fingerprinting is $25.00.

14. Does the Niles Police Department accept credit cards?

The Niles Police Department accepts most major credit cards include Visa and MasterCard for bonds, however there is a fee for that service in addition to any bond amounts.

15. What time can I start construction in the morning? How about weekends? Does this include lawn mowing?

Repair of any building other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, except in case of urgent necessity in the interest of public health and safety, and then only with a permit from the building inspector, which permit may be granted for a period not to exceed three days or less while the emergency continues and which permit may be renewed for periods of three days or less while the emergency continues. If the building inspector should determine that the public health and safety will not be impaired by the erection, demolition, alteration or repair of any building or the excavation of streets and highways, within the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and if he shall further determine that loss or inconvenience would result to any party in interest, he may grant permission for such work to be done within the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., upon application being made at the time the permit for the work is awarded or during the progress of the work.

16. How can I obtain a Freedom of Information request form?

All requests for public records shall be submitted to the Village of Niles Freedom of Information Officer via the NextRequest Online Portal. Certified copies are available on request.
  
NextRequest Portal - File your Request Online: https://niles.nextrequest.com/  
   
All requests for non-exempt information must be responded to within five(5) working days after the receipt of the written request, unless additional time is required, as allowed by the Act. The requester must be notified by mail, email or phone in five (5) days if an extension is required. Requests for a commercial purpose will be responded to within twenty-one (21) working days. You must disclose whether your request is for a commercial purpose. It is a violation of the Freedom of Information Act for a person to knowingly obtain a public record for a commercial purpose without disclosing that it is for a commercial purpose, if requested to do so by the public body. 5 ILCS 140.3.1(c)).

17. What are my options after receiving a traffic citation?

Please follow the information on the back of your printed traffic citation.

18. I received a traffic citation for "Failure to Carry Proof of Insurance" but I have insurance, what can I do?

You can show up at court with your valid proof of insurance for the date that appears on your citation. A judge may accept this proof of insurance and the Judge may void the citation. There still may be fees that will be applied.

19. How do I report an abandoned auto?

Please call the non-emergency number at 847-588-6500. Provide the location and description of the abandoned vehicle.

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

Please call the non-emergency number at 847-588-6500. If your vehicle was towed from a private parking lot, the Police Department may not have information about your vehicle. Please look in the parking lot for the tow company that may handle that lot. Village ordinance requires that the company name and telephone number be posted.

21. How do I report a traffic accident?

If you were involved in a traffic accident, first ensure that no one was injured. If someone is injured, call 911. If no one was injured, you may either call the non-emergency number at 847-588-6500 to inform the Telecommunicator of the accident, who will then dispatch an officer to your location. Or, you may come to the Niles Police Department and report the accident.

22. What if the other party in my traffic accident did not have insurance?

Contact your insurance agent and inform them that the other parties did not have insurance at the time of the accident. Your insurance agent should assist you.

23. How can I register my bicycle?

You can register your bicycle at the Niles Police Department front desk or at any community festival that Niles Police Officers have a Crime Prevention booth set up.

24. When is the sprinkling ordinance in effect?

¬¬Outdoor Water Sprinkling Restriction (No Outdoor Watering from Noon to 6 p.m. through September 15th) To help conserve water, the Federal Water Administration and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Water Resources requires municipalities to enact outdoor water sprinkling restrictions. All outside watering between the hours of 12:00 p.m. (noon) and 6:00 p.m. is prohibited on every day of the week from May 15th through September 15th . Generally, watering during this time of day is ineffective due to the fast evaporation rates, therefore delaying watering to the best possible times helps conserve water. All Niles residents are urged to follow the sprinkling restrictions. This will help maintain adequate water pressures for fire fighting as a protection fro your home or business.

25. When am I required to move my vehicle on a public street?

Under Village of Niles Ordinance you are required to move your vehicle every 72 hours. Vehicles that are left more than 72 hours are subject to being ticketed and marked with a 7 Day Notice. After 7 Days in which the vehicle has not moved it can be towed and impounded.

26. How quickly will my report by followed up by an Investigator?

A Niles Police Investigator will contact your upon the assignment of your incident by a supervisor from the Investigations Division. If your incident is something of an immediate nature your case will be assigned based upon the type of crime being investigated.

27. How do I commend a Police Officer?

You can send a letter to Chief of Police Dennis McEnerney, 7000 W. Touhy Avenue. If you do not know the Officer’s name please provide as much detail as you can on the nature of the incident you were involved in and the description of the officer. Or you can email the Chief at police@vniles.com.

28. How do I complain about a Police Officer?

All complaints must be made in person at the Niles Police Department. Complaints will be taken in writing from a Niles Police Department Sergeant or Watch Commander.