- Police reports - 686-3523
- Accident records - 686-3512
The Cheektowaga Police department launched its new online system for the public to obtain motor vehicle accident reports from the police department.
While the police department’s accident records office will still provide copies of reports for people who want to pick them up at Police Headquarters, 3223 Union Road, the new system allows people involved with accidents and insurance companies to obtain reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week at http://cheektowagany.policereports.us/.
The Town of Cheektowaga averages 2500 motor vehicle accidents a year. Requests for copies of accident reports keep the department’s records unit busy printing out documents for individuals and insurance companies. Chief Christine Ziemba said she wants to make the system of issuing copies of accident reports more efficient for the department and easier for the public.
Cheektowaga already uses a computerized system for compiling accident reports. Police officers enter information about property damage and injury accidents and the reports are reviewed by a supervisor. Police Reports.US will use the electronic reports produced by the police officers for the online distribution process. The company will charge a $4.00 fee for each report obtained by the public online.
Only reports that have been cleared for release will be available. Most accident reports will be available 5 business days after the accident however some more detailed reports, such as fatal accidents that involve complex investigations would not be immediately accessible online. (Also check out the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for forms and information on reporting accidents.)
4. How do I get crime prevention information?
Click on Crime Prevention or call the CPD Crime Resistance Bureau at 897-7293.
You may also arrange group tours of the police station, request speakers on police topics or receive information on Neighborhood Watch from the Crime Resistance Bureau.
5. How do I make a citizen's complaint or report outstanding performance by an officer or an employee?
It is the policy of the Cheektowaga Police Department to carry out its departmental mission while operating at the highest level of integrity, professionalism and discipline. The Cheektowaga Police Department encourages citizens to bring forth legitimate complaints regarding misconduct, unprofessional and/or inadequate police service and investigates all complaints in a competent, professional and impartial manner. The department takes appropriate criminal and/or disciplinary action in all cases in which an investigation substantiates a violation of law or the orders, rules, regulations or procedures of the Cheektowaga Police Department. It also seeks appropriate remedy for intentional false allegations.
Complaints are accepted:
- In person - Cheektowaga Police Headquarters, 3223 Union Road, Cheektowaga , New York 14227
- In writing - same address as above
- By telephone - 686-3500 - ask to speak with the watch commander or shift supervisor
- Online - e-mail to cpdweb@cpdny.org
- Anonymous complaints are investigated as much as possible.
Ask to speak with or direct your complaint to a supervisor. If you wish you can bring a family member, friend, witness or your lawyer with you when you file the complaint.
The following information would assist the department in investigating your complaint:
- Date, time and location of the incident;
- Names, badge numbers, car numbers or descriptions of department members involved;
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of any witness, and;
- A description of your complaint.
A supervisor will discuss your complaint with you and help you file the appropriate citizen complaint form. The supervisor may be able to explain the officer's or officers' actions or the departmental policy regarding procedures and during your initial contact. If your complaint is not resolved, the supervisor will assist you in filing a citizen complaint form that will be thoroughly investigated. You may request a copy of the form that you filed and one will be given to you. Your complaint will be investigated in a timely manner and you will be notified of the results of the investigations.
6. What is the bicycle helmet law in New York?
New York State Bicycle Helmet Law
Section 1238 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires that all bicyclists under 14 years of age must wear protective headgear when riding a bicycle. The helmets must meet ANSI or Snell standards for protective headgear. Also, helmets are required for in-line skaters under 14 years of age.
The Town of Cheektowaga also has a bicycle helmet law when riding in town parks.
Town Ordinance - 48-10.1 - Bicycle helmets required
"No person shall operate a bicycle within the limits of any park or park approach unless he or she shall wear a protective helmet. Such helmet must be equipped with either a neck or chin strap, be reflectorized on both sides thereof and be ANSI approved."
7. What is the ordinance for barking dogs in town?
"No person, firm or corporation shall keep, or allow to be kept, on premises owned by such person, firm or corporation, any dog which by its frequent barking, howling, or whining or other noise shall unreasonably disturb the comfort or repose of any person."
The Cheektowaga dog control officer may be reached at 686-3525.
Other laws that apply to dogs include:
- All dogs six months or older must be licensed.
- All dogs while off the owner's premises, whether tagged or licensed, must be restrained by leash.
- No person is allowed to keep more than three dogs six months of age or older on any premises in the Town of Cheektowaga.
- "No person in charge of a dog shall allow such dog to soil, defile, defecate on or commit any nuisance on any sidewalk, street, play area, gutter, park or other public area nor any private property without the permission of the owner of such property."
8. When is the snow ban in effect?
In the Town of Cheektowaga, the snow ban is in effect from 1-6 a.m. Nov. 1 to April 1 every year. In the Village of Sloan, the snow ban is in effect from 2-7 a.m. Nov. 15 to March 15 every year.
9. How do I obtain a handicap parking permit?
Handicap parking permits are issued by the Cheektowaga Town Clerk's Office at Cheektowaga Town Hall, Broadway and Union Road. Applications are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
10. Is it necessary to obtain a peddler's permit in Cheektowaga?
"It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of peddler within the Town of Cheektowaga, without first obtaining a permit. Every peddler licensed shall have his permit in his immediate possession at all times when peddling and shall display the same upon demand by any person. The following solicitations and person are exempted from obtaining a permit:
- charitable, religious, political, or municipals organizations, or nonprofit groups
- peddling of meats, fish, fruit and farm products by farmers and persons who produce such commodities
- honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces who have obtained a veteran's license
- persons maintaining a regular delivery route in Cheektowaga
- persons licensed by the State of New York
- commercial salesmen or deliverymen calling exclusively upon retail or wholesale establishment or other business firms.
Peddler permits are issued by the Cheektowaga Town Clerk's Office at Cheektowaga Town Hall, Broadway and Union Road. Applications are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
11. I received a traffic ticket. What do I do now?
Guilty plea by mail:
You may plead guilty by mail to a traffic violation. Sign and date Part A on the back of your summons and send it to Cheektowaga Town Court at 3223 Union Road, Cheektowaga, New York 14227. You must send this in before the court date listed on the front of the ticket. The RECORD OF CONVICTIONS stub on your New York State license must accompany the ticket. The court will notify you of the fine.
Guilty plea in person:
The Cheektowaga Town Court operates a "Cafeteria Court" on from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. You may go there anytime before the court date on the front of your summons, plea guilty and pay the assessed fine. You may also come on the day listed on the front of your summons and plead guilty at that time.
Not guilty plea by mail:
If you wish to plead "not guilty" by mail, sign and date "Part B - plea of not guilty" on the back of your summons and send it to Cheektowaga Town Court. The court will notify you of your next court date.
Not guilty plea in person:
You may also appear on the court date listed on the front of your summons and plead not guilty at that time. The court will assign you a trial date.
12. How do I obtain an order of protection?
To obtain an order of protection in the Town of Cheektowaga Court, you must sign a complaint charging another person with an offense. Tell the officer handling your complaint that you would like the court to issue an order of protection and the officer will submit your request with the complaint information to the court. A judge will review your complaint and sign a criminal summons or warrant for the offender. A member of the police department will then serve the offender with the summons or warrant.
If the offender has already been arrested in Cheektowaga, you may call the town court at 686-3436 and request that an order of protection be issued.
You may also obtain an order of protection from Family Court by calling 858-8234 if you are married or have been formerly married to the offender, have a child in common or are related by blood.
13. When may I put my garbage containers out at the curb?
Garbage, non-recyclable refuse and rubbish or recyclable rubbish should be set out for collection after 6 p.m. on the day preceding collection and before 6 a.m. on the day of collection.
Containers or receptacles should be removed from the curb line within 12 hours after being emptied to a place invisible from the street.
14. Do I need to obtain a permit to snowplow in the Town of Cheektowaga?
If you are snowplowing for a fee, you must obtain a permit from the town clerk's office to snowplow. This does not apply to plowing snow on the confines of your own property.
"No person, firm or corporation shall plow or cause to allow snow to be plowed by the use of any vehicle with in the Town of Cheektowaga unless a permit therefore, issued by the Town Clerk is in full force and effect. Such permit shall be prominently displayed by affixing it to the driver's side window of the vehicle."
15. How many points will I get for a speeding ticket?
Check out the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles home page for information on points. Below is a list of violations and their point value from the DMV Web site.
The DMV "point system" helps identify drivers who commit several traffic violations in a short period of time. It is important to note that this system is NOT THE ONLY basis for suspending or revoking driver licenses. For example, three speeding violations in 18 months or a single DWI violation will result in mandatory revocation, regardless of points.
The point system identifies "persistent violators." While each violation is not in itself serious enough to require license suspension or revocation, several violations may indicate that action should be taken.
The following table gives the point values assigned to moving traffic violations:
New York Points Chart For Moving Violations
Violation Points
Speeding (MPH over speed limit not indicated) 3
Speeding (MPH over speed limit):
- 1 - 10 MPH 3
- 11 - 20 MPH 4
- 21 - 30 MPH 6
- 31 - 40 MPH 8
More than 40 MPH 11
Passenger safety violation, including seat belt and child safety seat violations for passengers under the age of 16 3
Reckless driving 5
Left the scene of an accident that includes property damage or the injury of a domestic animal 3
Failed to stop for a school bus 5
Other moving violations 2
Inadequate brakes 4
Inadequate brakes (vehicle of an employer) 2
Following too closely 4
Passing improperly, changing lanes unsafely, driving to the left of center, driving in the wrong direction 3
Failed to obey a traffic signal, a Stop sign, or a Yield sign 3
Railroad crossing violation 3
Failed to yield the right-of-way 3