FAQs • Los Gatos • CivicEngage

What happens when I call 9-1-1?: When you dial 9-1-1, your call will go to the police agency where the call originates from (if you are in Los Gatos, the call will come to the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department). The dispatcher will ask you where your emergency is and what is happening. If you have a medical or fire emergency the dispatcher will transfer you to either a fire or medical dispatcher. After the information is received and entered in our computer, the appropriate personnel will be sent to the location. Remember to remain calm when you call 9-1-1.

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1. How can I compliment an officer or employee?: The best way is to write a letter or card care of the Chief of Police, 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030. Tell us the name of the employee and a summary of how the employee was helpful to you. This commendation will be placed in their personnel file and shared with the department on our commendation bulletin board.

2. Can I make an appointment with the Chief of Police?: Yes, you can. However, once you have inquired about an appointment, one of the two Captains in the police department will usually call you and ascertain if they can help you first. As you can imagine, the Chief of Police is very busy, but will certainly see you if the Captains cannot assist you, or if your matter is such that you wish to discuss it privately with the Chief.

3. How do I get in touch with a specific officer or employee?: See our directory on this website, or call our communications center at 408-354-8600.

4. I have a warrant for my arrest, how do I take care of it?: If you think you have a warrant for your arrest, call the Records Bureau at 408-354-5257, Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. or the Dispatch Center at 408-354-8600 during non-business hours. You may be eligible for the citation and release program or, if you are required to post bail, we accept money orders or cashiers checks.

5. How can I get a copy of a police or accident report?: If you would like to check that a report is ready for release and if you are eligible to obtain a copy, please call the Records Bureau at 408-354-5257, Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. There is a flat fee for a police report for pages 1-20, and then an additional fee for each page thereafter. There is no charge for victims of domestic violence. Arrested persons (over the age of 18) will need to contact the Santa Clara Superior Court at 408-808-6600 regarding a copy of their report.

6. What is your mailing address?: Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department
110 E. Main St.
Los Gatos, CA 95030

7. What is your physical address?: Appear at the:
Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department
Police Headquarters
110 E. Main St.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
if you need to pick up a copy of a police report, apply for a special event, to pay for parking citations, to get a citation sign off, to get a vehicle released, to appeal a parking citation, and any other administrative service. Public Counter Hours are Monday - Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Friday afternoons by appointment only.
Appear at the:
Los Gatos/Monte Sereno
Police Operations Building
15900 Los Gatos Boulevard
Los Gatos, CA 95032
to report a crime 24 hours a day/7 days a week, to speak to a police officer, to pick up evidence or found property by appointment only, or to speak with a Detective by appointment only.

8. Do you provide fingerprinting services?: No. fingerprinting service are done digitally via a Livescan device at the Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Department. Call for more information at 408-354-8700.

9. How can I get a domestic violence restraining order?: Contact Family Court, 170 Park Center Plaza, San Jose, CA 95113, 408-534-5600 or visit http://www.scselfservice.org and click on "Family" on the left side menu.

10. How can I get a civil harrassment restraining order?: Contact Superior Court, Civil Division at 191 N. 1st St., San Jose, CA 95113 408-882-2100.

11. Where can I get general information about the services the Records Department offers and the general business hours?: The Records Division of the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department, 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and Friday afternoons by appointment only. The business phone number is (408) 354-5257. Some of the services offered through the Records Division are: Copies of Police Reports: Authorized persons may receive a copy of a police report for a fee of $21.00. There is no charge for victims of domestic violence. Contact the Records Division at (408) 354-5257 to confirm that the report is ready for release. Vehicle Releases: If your vehicle is ordered stored by the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department, contact the Records Division, during business hours, at (408) 354-5257, for information regarding release of that vehicle. During non-business hours, call (408) 354-8600.

12. When should I call 9-1-1?: 9-1-1 is for emergencies only. An emergency is a life threatening situation, a crime in progress, or a crime that just occurred. If you are not sure what you are reporting is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

13. What happens when I call 9-1-1?: When you dial 9-1-1, your call will go to the police agency where the call originates from (if you are in Los Gatos, the call will come to the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department). The dispatcher will ask you where your emergency is and what is happening. If you have a medical or fire emergency the dispatcher will transfer you to either a fire or medical dispatcher. After the information is received and entered in our computer, the appropriate personnel will be sent to the location. Remember to remain calm when you call 9-1-1.

14. What happens when I call 9-1-1 from my cellular phone?: Currently all 9-1-1 calls from cellular phones are routed to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Be prepared to give the location of the crime and/or incident to the dispatcher so they can route you to the appropriate agency. If you are reporting a incident on the highway (reckless driver, stranded motorist, accident, hazard,etc) CHP will handle the call. If what you are reporting is in Los Gatos you can dial 408-354-8600 to avoid delay. You may want to program this number into your cell phone’s memory.

15. What number do I call for a non-emergency situation?: The appropriate number to call for non emergencies is 408-354-8600. This number is monitored 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Non emergencies include abandoned cars, non injury accidents, lost or found property, noise complaints, vandalism and other crimes not in progress.

16. What information should I give the dispatcher if I'm reporting a crime in progress?

The dispatcher will ask questions pertinent to the crime or incident being reported. Typically the questions include:

What are you reporting?

Where is the crime and/or incident occurring?

When did this happen?

Why this happened (if known)

Are there weapons, drugs or alcohol involved? (if appropriate)

It may seem some questions are unnecessary or don't make sense to you, but there are reasons why they are asked. Try to be as brief as possible, but accurate. Patience will help us get through the call quickly and efficiently. Remember to remain calm at all times. Be prepared to stay on the line with the dispatcher to provide updates or answer additional questions.

17. Does the police department assist those who speak other languages or are speech impaired?: Yes, the police department will make every effort to help those who speak a different language by the help of a "Language Identification Guide" and the help of translation company. 9-1-1 and non emergency calls can be transferred to a translator. Los Gatos dispatchers are able to handle calls directly from the TTY. REMEMBER... When calling 9-1-1, it is very important to stay on the phone, even if 9-1-1 was dialed in error. Even if you hang up, prior to the phone ringing, we get the 9-1-1 call. The dispatcher is required to verify where the call is coming from. If you hang up and the dispatcher is unable re-contact you, a police officer will be sent to the location the 9-1-1 computer provides. By staying on the phone, the dispatcher will be able to verify the computer provided location is correct and that no emergency exists.

18. I dialed 3-1-1 and nothing happend. Why?: The Los Gatos Monte/Sereno Police Department does not have the 3-1-1 system. If you have a non-emergency call, please dial 408-354-8600 which is monitored 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year.

19. What happens if there is a power outage, earthquake or natural disaster?: The Police Department cannot provide information about power outages or the estimated time it may come back on. Please call PG&E at 800-PGE-5000 (743-5000).In the case of a natural disaster or earthquake, rest assured the Police Department is well aware of the issue and is working on keeping you safe and informed. Do not call 9-1-1 for a non-life threatening emergency, as it will only delay us in getting help for those who are in dire need of emergency services. Please visit our Community Services portion of this website to find out more about our CERT program or visit http://earthquake.usgs.gov/faq/prepare.html

20. How do I check for sexual predators in my neighborhood?: To locate sexual predators in your neighborhood, you can go to the Megan's Law website and upon agreeing to the conditions, view a generalized map of the locations of convicted sex offenders within our jurisdiction.
Megan's Law

21. I own a business and a customer wrote a check that returned as non-sufficient funds (NSF). Who should I contact?: If the amount of the check is less than $5,000, contact the Santa Clara County District Attorney Bad Check Restitution Program at 877-520-6137 (Merchant Hotline) or if you were the writer of the bad check call 800-931-9720 for assistance. You may also come down to the Police Department and obtain the form needed by the District Attorney's Office. If the check is over $5,000, contact the Police Department at 408-354-8600.

22. What happens if my child gets arrested?: The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Department policy states that “whenever a juvenile is taken into custody, it is the responsibility of the arresting officer…to notify a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult…as soon as practical.” The arresting officer will tell the parent/guardian that “the juvenile is in custody and where the juvenile is being detained.” Depending on the circumstances, the officer may ask the parent/guardian to respond out to the location of the arrest, the police department, or juvenile hall. In most cases the juvenile will be cited and released to the parent/guardian when they arrive to pick them up. If the juvenile was arrested for a violent felony, or other serious crime, the juvenile may be transported to juvenile hall instead of being released to the parent/guardian.

23. How can I check on the status of my case?: Call the Detective Bureau’s main number at (408) 827-3209 and provide them with your report number. They will tell you if the crime is being investigated and how to contact the detective assigned to your case.

24. What should I do if I believe I am the victim of identity theft?: Identity theft is when a person uses your personal information (i.e. name, social security number, driver's license number) to obtain goods or services. If you live in Los Gatos or Monte Sereno, contact the Police Department at 408-354-8600. If you live outside of Los Gatos or Monte Sereno, you may need to contact another police agency if your credit card or information was used outside Los Gatos or Monte Sereno. Once you contact the Police Department, the officer or dispatcher you speak with can advise you further on what to do.

25. How do I go about applying for a job with the police department?: The Town of Los Gatos accepts applications for only those positions that we are actively recruiting. Obtain and submit a Town of Los Gatos application to the Town of Los Gatos Human Resource’s Office, either in person or you may download the application from this website under the career opportunities section. A resume may be attached, but will not substitute for the information required on the application.

26. What is the hiring process for police officer?

Submit an application to the Town of Los Gatos Human Resource’s Office.

Written examination required, if entry level or academy graduate applicant.

Physical agility test for all applicants required.

Successful completion of written and oral examinations, and a thorough background investigation is conducted.

Oral Interview with Department head and/or designee.

After successful completion of department interviews, a conditional job offer is extended, and psychological, polygraph and medical examinations are conducted.

Upon successful completion of all of the above, a job offer may be extended.

27. Whom do I call about crime prevention and neighborhood watch programs?: Contact Jackie Rose at (408)354-6853 or E-Mail at JRose@LosGatosCA.gov

28. How do I get involved in volunteering for the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department?: Contact Jackie Rose at (408)354-6853 or E-Mail at JRose@LosGatosCA.gov

29. Do you fingerprint children?: We only fingerprint children at special events (such as Fiesta de Artes, Fantasy Fair, etc.) when we set up a crime prevention booth.

30. How do I report traffic violations in my neighborhood?: The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department is very interested in your input on neighborhood traffic issues. We rely on your assistance in identifying hazardous situations within our community, and are eager to use our resources to improve traffic safety within your neighborhood. If you are reporting a traffic violation in progress, please dial 9-1-1, and provide the information requested by the police dispatcher. If you would like to report an ongoing traffic problem in your neighborhood, please contact our Traffic Division Sergeant, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, at 408-399-5719. Please be prepared to provide a brief description of the problem, the location (with cross street) where the problem is occurring, and the time of day when the problem is most severe. The Traffic Sergeant will assess the situation, and discuss with you the various resources within the Traffic Division, which may be put to work for you.

31. I received a traffic citation for an equipment violation. How do I get this ticket “signed off”?: The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department offers citation sign off's from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We are located at 110 E. Main St., in Los Gatos. You may come into the front lobby of the police department between the above listed times, and advise the person helping you that you need a citation signed off. You will be asked to wait with your parked car until an officer is dispatched to assist you. An officer will respond as soon as possible, inspect your vehicle to ensure that the violation has been corrected, and sign the proof of correction section on the back of your original citation. A $25.00 fee will be appplied to citations given by other law enforcement agencies.

32. How can I find out if my vehicle has been towed, and what is the procedure for getting it back?

You may call the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department to inquire if your vehicle was towed. Please provide the police dispatcher with the license plate number of your vehicle, and the location from which you think it may have been towed. They will confirm the status of your vehicle.

If your vehicle was stored (available for immediate release) or impounded (held for a period of 30 days) a vehicle release must be obtained from the Police Department before the tow company will release the vehicle to you.

In order to get a vehicle release the following conditions must be met:

You must be the registered or legal owner of the vehicle.
The vehicle must be currently registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
You must have a valid California driver’s license or bring a licensed driver with you. If you do not have a CA Driver’s license you will need to bring identification for yourself.
A vehicle release fee of is required, $235.00 This fee must be paid in the form of cash or the following credit/debit cards – Visa, Master-card or Discover Card (a fee will be charged).

If you have further questions about the tow, please contact the Records Unit at 408-354-5257, during regular business hours. After business hours, contact the non-emergency number at 408-354-8600.

33. How can I have my child safety seat inspected?

Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for children from 4 to14 years old. Most of these injury crashes could have been prevented by the correct use of child safety seats and seat belts, yet many parents are not restraining their children properly. The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department is not an official child safety seat inspection station, however there are two locations within a reasonable distance:

California Highway Patrol
2020 Junction Ave
(408)467-5400

San Jose Police Department
201. W. Mission Street
San Jose, Ca 95110
(408) 279-8383

34. Who should I call to report a low flying aircraft or helicopter?: To report low flying aircraft or a helicopter, contact the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at 408-291-7681.

35. What is the process to obtain my property if it was taken for safekeeping?: Contact Property and Evidence Technician Larry Brown at 408-827-3214 Monday through Thursday between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to schedule an appointment to release property. The Department will not release any property that has evidentiary value. Questions about evidentiary value can be directed to the District Attorney’s Office.

36. Does the police department hold auctions for recovered unclaimed property?: Yes, the Department uses an online auction site called www. propertyroom.com. The convenient online marketplace gives recovered unclaimed items continuous exposure, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

37. If I find money or other valuable property, and turn it into the police, can I later claim it if the true owner has not collected it?: Found property with a value of more than $10.00 will be retained for a period of 90 days. Unclaimed found property can then be released to the finder. However, if the finder does not claim the property within the next 30 days, the Department will dispose of it.

38. Whom do I call about barking dogs and other loud noise in my neighborhood?: Call the Police Dispatch Center at 354-8600.

39. What are your Police Department fees?: Please view the Town of Los Gatos Master Fee Schedule. More...

40. What is the curfew law and why does it exist?: The curfew law is in the Town of Los Gatos Municipal Code under Section 18.030.055 and states in part that “minors under the age of eighteen may not loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in or upon public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places and public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots or other unsupervised places in the Town between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and daylight the following day.” “Exceptions are: when the minor is with their parent or guardian, or if the minor is on an emergency errand or legitimate business directed by the minor’s parent or guardian, if the minor is returning directly home from a meeting, dance, entertainment or recreational activity.” Section 18.030.060 goes on to state that parents are in violation of the code if they permit their minor child to violate the curfew law. So, a minor can be at a school activity, ball game, dance, etc and if they are going directly home from there, they are not in violation. However, an officer may still stop them to ascertain where they are going or coming from and may call the minor’s parents to verify their whereabouts. The reason why the curfew law exists is primarily for the safety of the minor. After 10 p.m., more adults are out and could potentially have a negative influence on youth, including the potential for serious traffic collisions, sexual assault, encouraging drinking and/or using drugs, or kidnapping. Curfew laws also help to dissuade young people or minors from committing crimes in the evening hours.

41. Where are your parking frequently asked questions?: On the Police Department main page, the left side menu has a link to Parking. Click there.

42. How do I report an abandoned vehicle?: Call the Abandoned Vehicle Hotline (408) 399-5716, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or complete the Online Abandoned Vehicle Form. Have available a description of the vehicle, location, license number and how long it has been there. An officer will respond as soon as available. Please note that vehicles parked on private property are not the responsibility of the Police Department. Only vehicles parked on Town owned streets, alleys, and off street parking facilities are responded to.

43. Do you have a Resident Outreach Program?: Yes. The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department has launched an innovative outreach program to welcome new residents. Launched in May 2008, uniformed police volunteers from the Volunteers in Policing Program personally welcome new residents. Residents receive packets of useful community information, including letters from the Town Manager and Chief of Police, an overview of Town services, emergency preparedness and home safety information and gift certificates from local businesses. Children receive Town pins, stickers, and police badges. The Town of Los Gatos and Police Department are offering this new service to further its goal of "knowing everyone in the community," a worthwhile endeavor which has already demonstrated its value to the community. For more information, contact the Personnel and Community Services Divison at (408) 354-6853.
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