Vehicles left parked on a public street for a period of over 72 hours may be considered abandoned. To notify the Police Department of an abandoned vehicle call 420-5863.
Be prepared to leave the following information on the answering machine:

• Location of the vehicle
  
• Color of the vehicle.
  
• Make and model of the vehicle.
  
• License plate number.

Abandoned vehicles will be "tagged" with a large orange warning flyer advising the owner(s) of the vehicle to move the vehicle or it will be towed. After the 72-hour waiting period has passed, and if the vehicle has not been sufficiently moved, the vehicle will be towed as an abandoned vehicle. There are certain provisions in the law that allow the Police Department to remove vehicles immediately which are obviously inoperable. The decision to tow immediately or wait the 72 hours is left to the discretion of the officer in charge of abandoned vehicles.

Although the state law allows for a time period of 72 hours in order for the car to be towed after being tagged, it is likely that it may take at least two weeks for the car to be towed due to time constraints and other duties of the officer.

Alcohol in the City of Santa Cruz

The possession of an open container of alcohol in public is prohibited in the City of Santa Cruz for reasons related to public health, safety, and welfare.
This includes:

• Santa Cruz Business District
  
• All City of Santa Cruz Beaches
  
• West Cliff Drive
  
• All City Parks such as Harvey West, San Lorenzo Park, Derby Park, Oceanview Park, Frederick Street Park, etc.
  
• All public schools.
  
• The Boardwalk is private property and alcohol may be consumed on their premises. However, alcohol is not allowed on the sidewalk, on Beach Street, or on the surrounding beaches.

Minors (under the age of 21 years) are prohibited by state law from possessing any alcoholic beverage. Such possession can result in a one-year delay or suspension of their driving privileges.

The Police Department is very concerned about proper service delivery to the public and the behavior of its employees. If you feel you did not receive proper police service, you should call the police watch commander (420-5858) as soon as possible.

All complaints about a Police Department employee's conduct, action, or service are investigated. Complaints about a police employee may be made by phone or in person the Police Department. A police supervisor is assigned to conduct all investigations. Completed investigations are reviewed by the Independent Police Auditor to provide an independent review of the citizen complaint process. The Police Auditor will also make recommendations regarding department policy.

Persons involved in the complaint will be contacted and statements taken. Other information or evidence will be gathered and documented. The completed investigation is forwarded to the Chief of Police and the Independent Police Auditor.

The Chief of Police makes a final decision as to the disposition of the complaint. A letter from the Chief of Police is sent to the complaining party(s) outlining the investigation, the disposition of the complaint, and/or the actions taken to correct this problem. If the complaint involves discipline of the employee, the exact nature of that disciplinary action, by law, is confidential.

Monthly, the Chief of Police reports all citizen complaints to the City Manager who furnishes the City Council the information on the number of complaints received and their dispositions. The Police Department also complies with the Department of Justice citizen complaint reporting procedures.

Citizens sometimes have questions or complaints about the Police Department. These normally involve questions about service delivery, policy, procedure, or our employees' conduct or actions.

The following are some answers to questions most often asked:

• Does the Police Department want to hear from the public?
  Yes, a Police Department cannot function effectively without the support of the community. That support is based on a foundation of mutual respect and trust. Without your input into the kind of police service we provide, we cannot function effectively or maintain the high standard you expect from your Police Department.
  
• Will you listen and respond to my complaint?
  Yes. We will want to talk with you so we can fully understand the nature of your complaint.
  
• Who will investigate my complaint?
  The Chief of Police will assign a police supervisor to investigate your complaint.
  
• What if I want to take this all the way to the Chief of Police and let him know and let him know about the complaint?
  All complaints about police conduct are reviewed in depth by the Chief of Police and you will receive a response from him about the outcome of your complaint.
  
• Do I have to complain in person?
  No. We will accept your complaint by telephone or letter if you wish. However, our investigation may require a personal interview with you.
  
• If I am under age, do I have the right to complain?
  Anyone at anytime has the right to complain about police conduct or actions.
  
• How closely will you really investigate?
  We do a complete and thorough investigation. We want to know what we did right or wrong. By the same token, we want to know if the person making the complaint understands what occurred or if the employee is being falsely accused of wrongdoing.
  
• What will happen to the officer or employee?
  That depends on what he/she did. If it was a training issue, they will receive proper training. If their actions were improper, he/she will be disciplined accordingly by the Chief of Police. If their actions are criminal in nature, the information will be forwarded to the District Attorney for his review.
  
• Will I be told how the complaint was concluded?
  Yes. You will receive a letter from the Chief of Police outlining the investigation and the disposition of your complaint.
  
• What if my complaint is really not with the police, but a law or ordinance you enforce?
  Oftentimes the police are called upon to enforce laws with which people may not agree. If your complaint does not involve wrongdoing on the part of one of our employees, but a matter of law, this information will be furnished to the city council by the City Manager.
  
• What if I am not satisfied with the results of the investigation?
  You may discuss the entire matter with the Deputy Chief of Police who is responsible for the police employee. If you are still not satisfied with the results you may contact the Chief of Police to express your concerns. The Independent Police Auditor may be contacted at 420-6295.
  In summary, we want to hear from you if you have a complaint or concern about police service in this community.

The Boardwalk is private property, owned and operated by the Seaside Company. They have their own security personnel, Seaside Security. The Santa Cruz Police Department, however, has a team which operates in the area out of a sub-station located on the Boardwalk. This team is responsible for crime details in the Beach Area and for special enforcement activities such as narcotics enforcement

Anonymous information may be left on an answering machine in the Police Department through the Crime Tip Line at 420-5995. This line is checked on a daily basis.

Dogs are prohibited in the following areas:

• Pacific Avenue
  
• City of Santa Cruz Beaches.
  
• City of Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
  
• City of Santa Cruz Public Parks
  
• San Lorenzo River
  Dogs must be on leashes and controlled by a person. Call the Animal Services Authority at (831) 454-7303 to report problem with loose or stray dog.

The City Police Department offers many career and part-time employment opportunities. Just a few of the positions are:

• Police Officer
  
• Reserve Officer - Part-Time
  
• Police Records Technician
  
• Community Service Officer
  
• Reserve Community Service Officer
  More information and job applications can be obtained from Santa Cruz City Personnel Department at 337 Locust Street Santa Cruz 420-5040.

All public viewing of the Megan's Law Database is arranged through the County Sheriff's Office. Arrangements can be made with Sheriff's staff either at their main office at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz or at any of their service centers. Access to the file requires you to fill out a request form. There is a 900 number available to check names on the database for a fee. The number is 1-900-448-3000. Additional sex offender information is available at the California Attorney General's website at: www.caag.state.ca.us/megan/index.htm

The Persons Crime Unit of the Investigation Section investigates cases involving missing children, juveniles, and adults.

A child or juvenile is defined as a person younger than 18 years of age. An adult is a person 18 or older. There is no time requirement before a person can be listed as missing.

Reporting a Missing Child or Juvenile Under 13 years of age.

If a child or juvenile is believed to be missing, parents should first make sure the youngster is not inside the home or anywhere in the immediate area.
Contact the police if the youngster still cannot be found. Dial 911.

The officer receiving the call will request the following information:

• Full name, including nicknames and aliases, race, sex, age and date of birth
  
• Hair and eye color, clothing worn when last seen, physical characteristics
  
• Home or apartment address and number
• Telephone number
• Last school attended and grade level
• Parents' names, addresses, and telephone numbers (home and work)
• Last person known to have seen the youngster
• Circumstances of the disappearance
• A current photo of the missing person, if available.
  It may be necessary to obtain photos, dental charts, and other pertinent medical information of the missing person.

If You Find a Missing Child or Juvenile: When the youngster is found and has returned home, the Police Department should be contacted immediately so the case can closed.

Reporting a Missing Person 13 Years and Older

Steps in reporting a missing person 13 years and older are basically the same as those for reporting missing children or juveniles under 13 years of age.

• To report an adult missing, call the Police Department
• Priority is given to cases involving elderly, senile, or mentally challenged persons
• As with missing youngsters, there is no waiting period for the report to be accepted
• You will be required to sign a release form prior to the adult being listed as missing on the National Crime Information Computer
• Finding a Missing Adult: When a missing adult is located or returns home, the Police Department should be contacted immediately so the case can be closed

Take the opportunity to observe the Santa Cruz Police Department at work first-hand. The "Ride-Along" program will allow you to hear and see exactly how situations are handled and to give you better insight to evaluate the quality of your Police Department personnel.

Click Here, to go to the Ride Along page to learn more.

Special Events 420-5840

• Applications for special events must be submitted to the Special Events Coordinator a minimum of sixty (60) days before the event
• Any person wishing to film or videotape scenes for motion picture or television productions shall submit a written request for a permit not less than three (3) weeks prior to initiating production to the City Manager's office.

For additional information and to receive a copy of the Special Events information package, contact the Special Events Coordinator at 420-5840.
Go to Special Events Calendar.

Domestic Violence and Harassment. Both types of TRO's, with forms and instructions, can be obtained at the
County Clerk's office at 701 Ocean Street, the County Courthouse.
There is a fee for a Harassment TRO.

TRO's are used to protect an individual by keeping another individual away from them and their children at their residence, place of employment, and via telephone or mail.

There are several agencies that can assist you with filling out a Temporary Restraining Order; Women's Crisis Support at 429-1478 and Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Cruz County at 458-1086.

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