Captain Jesse HaugBureau Commander
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Philosophy
The communications center provides dispatching services for both the police and fire departments; including Emergency Medical Dispatching for the residents of the Town and Village of Kenmore. Many aspects of dispatching are similar for both departments. However, each department has its own special needs as dictated by the type of calls they handle and their established procedures.
Responsibilities
Public Safety Dispatchers perform communications duties for the Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) coordination of the Town of Tonawanda. The center is also responsible for dispatching EMS in the Village of Kenmore. They answer citizen calls for service, both emergency and non-emergency, dispatching police officers, firefighters and equipment to handle any type of situation. Communications Center personnel provide the vital first-link between citizens and the Town's resources. Their performance directly contributes to the safety and well-being of the Department's officers and the Town's residents. The Town of Tonawanda Communications center handles incoming calls for service in a two-step method. The calls are received by complaint dispatchers, who screen the call and either refer the caller to the appropriate radio operator, or take information for referral to the front desk officer. Incident information is entered into the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer which records all incident information and tracks the status of all officers and units in the field.
Staff
The Communications Bureau has 17 full-time employees and 9 part-time employees.
The Communications Center maintains various record files such as lists of business owners, resident contacts, alarm systems, school information and day care centers to name a few. The center can be a busy, noisy, high paced place to work, and dispatchers must often devote total concentration to the radio for long periods of time. This profession involves an individual's ability to multi-task regularly and work under high stress situations at times.
Employment Opportunities
Full-Time dispatchers are hired in accordance with Erie County Civil Service Department rules In order to be considered for a full-time dispatcher's position you must have completed 60 college credit hours in any discipline and take the public safety dispatcher exam, as administered by Erie County Civil Service. If you pass the exam your name will be placed on an eligible list according to your grade. Only Town of Tonawanda and Village of Kenmore residents are eligible for positions in our Dispatch Unit. The eligible lists are valid for an average of 4 years, unless required sooner. If you are interested in a career as a full-time dispatcher, follow this link to the Erie County website and search the current exam offerings. Current Erie County Civil Service Exams
Click this LINK to see what an announcement looks like. It also explains the qualifications at the time of this last exam in 2016. The exams are valid for an average of 4 years (or as necessary) so don’t miss out on a great career opportunity.
Becoming a Part-Time Dispatcher: NO EXAM
An individual must be a Town or Village resident, and have at least a high school diploma or equivalency. Dispatcher and or Fire Experience is a plus but not required. No exam is needed.
Applications can be obtained through the Town Of Tonawanda Personnel office located at 291 Ensminger Road, Suite 2 Tonawanda, NY 14150. We are always accepting applications, although they must be completed in person at the personnel office.
Take Note - All completed applications must be submitted to the Town of Tonawanda Clerk’s Office. The Town Police Department cannot accept any completed applications.
Click here for 4 PDF documents you will need
CRASHDOCS website makes it easier to get accident reports
There is no need to make a trip to the police station to obtain a copy of your accident. Simply search for your report, go to checkout (no charge at checkout) and receive a copy that you can print or save to your files.
No more:
Reports are available 24/7, so you can get your accident report when it is accepted into this system from the police department.
To obtain an accident report for the Town of Tonawanda you can follow this LINK to start the process. You will need the complaint number that you were given previously.
Sponsored by the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, the Concerned Parents Support Group meets every Thursday at 7:00 pm in the Lincoln Park Satellite Office to provide support and advice for helping a teen or adult child in crisis.
For more information contact:
Det. Darren Hearitt: EMAIL
WNY Still Standing is a Facebook group for parents and family members whose loved ones are in Active Addiction or Early Recovery. Some are bereaved parents. For more information, support, advocacy and awareness, please follow this link:
Do you own a business in the Town of Tonawanda? If you would like us to have your contact information in the case of after-hour emergencies on your property; we have a form that can completed online which our Public Safety Communication Center receives and enters into our dispatch system. It is the most efficient way of getting us your key-holders and other info you supply.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR THE FORM ON THE TOWN OF TONAWANDA WEBSITE
https://www.tonawanda.ny.us/index.php?option=com_rsform&view=rsform&formId=8
Erie County BE SAFE PROGRAM
https://www2.erie.gov/da/index.php?q=domestic-violence-advocacy
BE-SAFE Victim Advocacy Program
The BE-SAFE Program, led by Heather Summers, Director of Domestic Violence Services, is located at Buffalo City Court, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, 50 Delaware Avenue, 4th Floor, Buffalo, New York 14202. Staff can also be reached by telephone at (716) 858-4630, 8:30-5:00pm, M-F. Should you receive a notice of a court date, please call one of the advocates there.
BE SAFE provides free community outreach & training for professionals, law enforcement, Judges, and community members on a variety of topics related to Domestic Violence.
If you are involved in the Criminal Justice system, we understand that you may not be ready to proceed with criminal charges and can help explain options to maintain your safety. Advocates will assist you throughout each stage of your case, from Arraignment, Grand Jury or trial.
A SAFETY PLAN is a tool which enables victims of domestic abuse to assess their options and reduce their risk of further abuse. Leaving an abusive relationship is something that needs planning and can increase your risk. Should you feel unsafe at any time or want to discuss a safety plan please contact the advocates for assistance.
Erie County BE SAFE Brochure and Safety Plan
You should have enough supplies in your disaster kit to ensure each member of your family can be self-sufficient for at least 3 days. Some things to include are:
• water (1 gallon per day per person)
• food (nonperishable and easy to prepare)
• can opener
• first-aid kit
• flashlights
• extra batteries
• medicines and medical items
• a multipurpose tool to turn off utilities
• sanitation and hygiene items
• copies of personal documents
• blankets/sleeping bags
• extra cash, credit card, and/or cashier’s check
• list of important numbers
• a whistle to signal for help
• dust masks
• local maps
• battery-powered or hand crank radio
You can find out more through FEMAs Ready Campaign at:
https://training.fema.gov/nims/
https://www.ready.gov/business
http://water.weather.gov/ahps/
https://www.dhs.gov/active-shooter-preparedness
Be prepared and download the FEMA app for free on the App Store and Google Play.
Learn what to do before, during, and after emergencies with safety tips & receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.
D. It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog in the town to permit or allow a dog to: (2) Engage in habitual loud howling, barking, crying or whining or conduct itself in such a manner so as to unreasonably disturb the comfort or repose of any person.
https://www.tonawanda.ny.us/departments/police/animal-control.html
Selections are made from a Civil Service list based upon exam scores. For each selection the person must be in the top three places on the list. Exams are given every two years by the Erie County Personnel office.
For additional information connect to the Erie County Civil Service Commission. Erie County Civil Service Commission
The fee for fingerprint cards is $10 per card for Town of Tonawanda residents and $50 per card for non-residents. You must bring exact change, no personal checks are accepted. You must also have proper identification.
If the application is personally returned during the hours of operation (Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm), the permit will be issued immediately. There are no fees for handicap parking permits.
Permits are issued to Town of Tonawanda residents only.
Once your complaint reaches court the judge will preview the complaint you signed, a criminal summons will be served on the defendant and the judge will then issue a temporary order of protection, until further action in court.
For an Order of Protection through Erie County Family Court, please call (716) 858-8234 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
This system is a service available to victims, or their designees, who have been granted certain Court Orders of Protection. It allows victims the option of registering to be notified when an Order of Protection has been served.
Do not depend solely on this notification for your protection. If you are at risk, seek help and take appropriate precautions.
This program is part of the SAVIN-NY initiative funded by the Bureau of Justice Administration (BJA) and coordinated by the NYS Sheriffs' Institute.
Permits must be picked up in person and are issued at that time. Each permit is good for a period of 30 days from date of issuance.
You may download the form now and have it ready for the desk officer when you arrive at the police station.
What are the fees for a specific report?
Police Incident Report $ 0.25 per page
Police Incident Report - Victim No Charge
Fire Incident Report $ 0.25 per page
Accident Reports $ 0.25 per page
Paramedic Medical Report $ 0.25 per page
Record Checks on Individuals With Copy $ 10.00
DWI Attending School BAC $ 3.00
Peddler & Hawker Applications $ 50.00 per month
Fingerprints -Town & Village $ 10.00 per card (Resident)
$ 50.00 per card (Non-resident)
Pistol Permit Applications $ 75.00
Photographs $ 20.00 each
Sketches $ 15.00
Surrendered/Safekeeping of Firearms Processing Fee $ 25.00
CD/DVD $ 1.00 each
For most minor traffic infractions, you may pay a set fine by appearing in person at the cafeteria court window during regularly scheduled hours. Be sure you have your conviction stub with you. It may be helpful to call the Court to verify that there is a set fine for your particular infraction. Please note that the Town of Tonawanda Court will only accept cash, money orders or certified checks.
If you wish to plead not guilty by mail, you must date and sign Part B of the summons. Upon receipt of your not guilty plea, the Court will notify you in writing of your court date for arraignment.
If you do not want to enter a plea by mail, you should appear in Court on the date listed on the bottom of your summons. Upon arrival in the Court there are lists posted in the hallway. Locate your name on the list and follow the directions on the top of the sheet. If you have any questions go to the cafeteria court window, where a clerk will assist you.
U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), administers a Victim Notification Program. This program allows eligible victims and witnesses to obtain reliable and timely information regarding a criminal alien's release from custody. Victims and witnesses are required to register with HSI in order to receive notification of a criminal alien's release.
Listed below is a universal resource locator for the HSI Victim Notification Program. A victim or witness can simply click on the hyperlink and be transferred to a number of valuable victim services programs provided by ICE.
The Sex Offender Registration Act requires the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to maintain a Sex Offender Registry. Sex offenders are classified according to their risk of re-offending: low-risk (Level 1), moderate risk (Level 2) and high-risk (Level 3). The Act requires that DCJS also maintain a public Sub-directory on the internet which only includes Level 2 and 3 offenders.
DCJS attempts to ensure that the information in the Sub-directory is accurate and complete. However, the information on the Sub-directory is reported to DCJS by other sources. As a result, DCJS makes no express or implied guarantee concerning the accuracy or completeness of this data.
The information in this Sub-directory must be used responsibly. Anyone who uses this information to harass or commit a criminal act against any person may be subject to criminal prosecution.
You may search the public Sub-directory website here. (opens in a new window)
IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER AND HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTERING IN OUR TOWN, YOU MUST CONTACT - Detective Eric Schmidt at 716-879-6627.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we are suspending all peddler permits to prevent any soliciting to our town residents to help ensure their health and safety as best as possible. 7-7-2020
Going Door to Door? Check here for information regarding these permits and when needed.
The Town of Tonawanda Code can be located at this link http://ecode360.com/10932920
To download the needed form for a permit, please follow this link for the PDF to print
CLICK HERE FOR FORM (Disabled)
The new “Ready Erie” app is available for free and is designed for the iPhone, iPad, android and iOS systems. The multi-purpose app will allow users to receive critical information and emergency alerts through push notifications, locate Erie County’s emergency shelters, view up-to-date evacuation route maps, and create a personalized Emergency Preparedness Plan by answering five basic questions.Among the Ready Erie app’s other features are the ability to share your status with selected contacts on your device and get the latest news and weather for Erie County. Users who create a personalized Emergency Management Plan will be able to store the Plan on their device to share with family and friends. Every individual’s Plan will include and Emergency Supply kit Checklist tailored to their needs; a Customized Emergency Food Supply Shopping List; an Emergency Communications Plan to notify loved ones of the individual’s status; and information to prepare your home for impending disaster. The app also provides an opportunity to learn about the various emergency situations that Erie County residents are most likely to face in five integrated eGuides.
“The Ready Erie app takes emergency planning and preparedness to the next level and will give users the information they need at the time they need it, helping them and their loved ones to respond to emergencies in a safe and organized manner,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “With this app we can communicate directly with our constituents, individuals can have access to critical alerts and updates to coordinate planning with family or co-workers, and stay on top of changing conditions. The app also has useful information on ways to prepare before disaster strikes, helping to mitigate damage and protect lives.
To download please follow this link:
http://www2.erie.gov/disaster/index.php?q=ready-erie-preparedness-app
Special Needs Registry Form
Everybody Has Needs - Do the Right People Know What Yours Are?
If you or someone in your household has a disability or a special medical need, the people whose job it is to respond when you call for help in an emergency need to know. Whether it affects your entire community, your street or just your home, seconds can make a life-or-death difference. Having specific details about your special situation will significantly help us help you.
Please fill out the online form to provide the Police Department
Alternatively you can download the documents to fill out and send in to our Police Department
http://www.tonawanda.ny.us/document-center/police/842-2018-tow-fee-schedule/file.html
NOTE - Document remains the same pricing from 2018
Vacation House Checks are a service provided by the Town of Tonawanda Police for residents who are away from home for vacation. After filling out the required paperwork, an officer will check the premise at random times and contact you or your emergency contact person to report anything out of the ordinary.
This service is not provided for homes that are for sale or vacant.
Click here to fill out the form which we will enter into our system
You can also request a house check by calling 879-6613, or in person at The Town of Tonawanda Police Department located at 1835 Sheridan Drive. We will be happy to assist you. We are open 24 hours a day for this service.
NOTE: IF YOU COME HOME EARLY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY!