The Criminal Activity Nuisance Ordinance :
- adds a new category of nuisances to the City's Codified Ordinances, declaring certain criminal violations occurring on residential property to be nuisances.
- allows the City to recover the cost of police response to repeated occurrences of such criminal activity at the same property.
Certain activities listed in the Criminal Activity Nuisance Ordinance occurring at residential properties are declared nuisances if they are engaged in by a) the owner, b) any occupant, or c) any guest of the owner or any occupant. Property owners are responsible and will be charged the costs of Police response to the third nuisance activity when the Police determine that three violations have occurred.
What can I do about barking dogs in my neighborhood? How can I report animals running loose in my neighborhood?
During normal business hours, to report incidents involving animals that threaten public health and safety, call the Animal Control Warden at 216-491-1490; at night or on weekends, call 216-491-1499. If an animal appears to be a threat to the safety of an individual, call 911.
What can I do about my noisy neighbors?
While the noise is occurring, call the Police Department emergency number 911 or 216-491-1234. The police call taker will ask you if you are willing to sign a complaint. If you are not willing to sign a complaint, we will not be able to issue a citation, only a warning.
General Information
Can I make a police report over the phone or does a police officer have to come to my house?
We do not take reports over the phone. The police call taker can determine if your report requires a police unit to respond or if you must come to the station to file your report.
How can I get a copy of a criminal record?
You may obtain a copy of local criminal history information for a fee. You must request this information from the Records Management Unit. For further information, call 216-491-1220.
How do I become a police officer?
All Shaker Heights police officers are hired from the Civil Service eligibility list. Interested persons should apply to the Secretary of the Civil Service Commission to take the police exam. For additional information, see Police Employment.
How do I contact the Police Department?
In an emergency, dial 911 from any phone within the City. This number applies for any emergency--police, fire, or emergency medical services (EMS). For all non-emergency calls requiring police assistance, call 216-491-1220. To anonymously report ongoing or suspected criminal activity, call the Safe City Hotline: 216-295-3434.
How do I obtain a copy of a police report or accident report?
You must submit a written request by mail or fax (216-491-1224) to our Records Management Unit for a report. The written request must contain the date of accident, time of accident, location of accident, parties involved and accident report number (if known).
I need to have fingerprints taken. Where can I get this done?
The Police Department does fingerprinting for residents by appointment. Please call the Scientific Investigation Unit at 216- 491-1267 to arrange an appointment. Fingerprinting costs $15.00 per person.
I would like to ride along with a police officer. How do I sign up?
Residents who want to ride along with a police officer should submit a written request to the Chief of Police.
Where is the Police Department located?
3355 Lee Road, directly across the street from City Hall.
Why do they ask so many questions when I call the police?
Police call takers are trained to get as much information as possible in order to determine the nature of the problem and its seriousness. For your information, while the police call taker is trying to obtain the necessary information, in most instances, they have already dispatched police vehicles to the scene. The information you provide will further assist towards your safety and that of the police officers.
Will the Police Department check on elderly or disabled people who live alone?
Yes, the Police Department performs welfare checks at the request of a family member or friend. Please call 911 or 216-491-1234 to request a check. Persons requiring regular monitoring should consider the Fire Department’s Life Safety System.
Will the Police Department check on my house while I am on vacation?
The Police Department provides a service whereby an information card is kept on file while a resident is on vacation or away for an extended period of time so that we can get in touch with them in the event of an incident. Please call the Watch Officer, 216-491-1220, to provide this information if you will be away from home.
Traffic Information
How can I report a traffic-related problem in my neighborhood?
You can report traffic-related problems in your neighborhood via email or by calling us at 216-491-1240. Please provide information about the location and nature of the problem, when it occurs, and whether you would like to be contacted directly. Once submitted, the request will be forwarded to the Traffic Unit for follow up.
How can I report a vehicle left on the street for a long period of time?
Call the Police Department non-emergency number at 216-491-1220, and ask that the vehicle be checked. Once this is done, the Police Department will implement the process to remove the vehicle.
Is overnight parking permitted on Shaker Heights streets?
No overnight parking is permitted between 2:00 AM and 6:00 PM unless approved by the Chief of Police for a special reason, e.g., new driveway.
Traffic Signal Project
I can’t see the signals at Farnsleigh and Van Aken when exiting the Shaker Plaza Shops (Panera, Qdoba, etc.). How do I find the appropriate signal?
There was an engineering design error at this intersection. A new signal was added to the intersection at eye level on the pole with the crosswalk signals. After turning right onto Farnsleigh from the parking lot, the signal is visible to the right of the intersection.
I don’t have enough time to cross the street before the “Walk” sign changes. Why doesn’t it last longer?
The new traffic signals are designed in accordance with ODOT requirements, which provide a shorter “Walk” time and a longer flashing “Don’t Walk” time. This allows 4 to 7 seconds of “Walk” time followed by a flashing “Don’t Walk” of 14 to 20 seconds. This makes it possible for a pedestrian to finish crossing the street safely.
Many signals became packed with snow last winter, making them invisible. Is something being done to correct the problem?
Yes. The City is working with the contractor to correct the problem before the upcoming winter season.
When the “No Left Turn” arrows are lit at RTA intersections, am I required to wait until they go off before making a left turn or can I proceed if I don’t see a train coming?
You may not make a left turn until the “No Left Turn” signal is off; then proceed with caution through the intersection. RTA and the signalization contractor are working to ensure that these signals are working appropriately.
Who is in charge of the City’s new traffic signal system?
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for making sure the system meets all appropriate specifications before turning over control to Shaker. The tentative date for that turnover is October 31, 2007.
Why do I have trouble seeing the signals until I get very close to certain intersections?
Many Shaker intersections are confusing because of the RTA tracks and/or because there are more than two roadways at the crossing. The “optically-programmed” signals are designed to be seen only from a certain position to minimize confusion. If you are approaching the intersection at the proper speed, you should have no problem seeing the signal in time to know whether you should stop or proceed. The use of these optically planned louvers is required by ODOT.
Why do side street signals have longer stop (red) time than go (green) time?
An important goal of the new traffic signals is to keep traffic moving on main streets so that “cut-through” neighborhood traffic is limited.
Why does the signal at Warrington and S. Woodland take so long to change?
The new signals are designed to provide more green time on main streets to reduce cut through neighborhood traffic. At this intersection, the cycle length is 75 seconds, with most of the time allotted to S. Woodland traffic.
Why doesn’t the City make the needed changes to the signals instead of waiting for the contractor to make them?
Laws governing the project require that the City take no action until control is turned over to it.
Why don’t motorcycles and bicycles trigger the signals to change?
The detection devices that were installed according to plan design are approved by ODOT for general vehicular traffic. This problem is not unique to Shaker Heights. Motorcyclists will need to learn where to position their vehicles to trigger the signal changes at these intersections. This information can be found on the following websites:
Get Noticed by the Loop Detector
Activating an inductance loop vehicle detection system
Why don’t the pedestrian walk signals work?
The signals are designed to work only after you press the button for the appropriate crossing. Each signal has a sign posted to indicate which button goes with the appropriate street crossing. There are some intersections where an audible signal is provided for sight-impaired pedestrians.
Why is the green light at Van Aken and South Woodland so short?
This particular intersection requires coordination with RTA. After the project is turned over to the City (around the end of July), there will be an evaluation of how the timing sequences work on all the signals. At that time, the City will be able to make adjustments if it is determined that the sequence is too short.
