HOW TO PAY A FINE

You can pay for traffic or municipal ordinance citations by mailing or visiting the Door County Clerk of Courts at:

 

Door County Justice Center

1205 S. Duluth Avenue

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 54235

 

If you have any questions please contact the Clerk of Court at 920-746-2205 or the City of Sturgeon Bay’s Police Department at 920-746-2450.

WINTER PARKING

Throughout the months of December, January, February and March no operator of any vehicle shall park any vehicle upon any City street between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. All-night parking permits are available through application at the Sturgeon Bay Police Department. The Sturgeon Bay Police Department may deny any application or revoke any all-night parking permit upon determination that a term or condition of the permit has been violated. Whenever a police officer of the city determines that a vehicle is parked in violation of the Wisconsin Statutes or the city ordinances, an officer may cite, tow or cite and tow the vehicle in violation. The cost of towing shall be borne by the operator or owner of the towed vehicle and the tow companies may charge their normal fees for towing and storage of vehicles.

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

As of December 2010 it is ILLEGAL to text while driving. Texting while driving is very dangerous because you need to take your eyes off of the road increasing the chances of accident, injury or death. If you are caught texting while driving expect to face a fine anywhere from $25 to $400 dollars. So if you need to text please pull over to a safe location or wait until you are to your destination. Please drive safe.

SLOW IN SNOW

As the winter season becomes upon us the Sturgeon Bay Police Department would like to remind its residents of some winter driving tips.

·         Allow extra time for travel

·         Decrease your speed leaving plenty of room between other vehicles

·         Turn on your lights for increased visibility

·         Keep your lights and windshield clean

·         Brake gently to avoid skidding

·         Be extra vigilant on bridges and infrequently traveled roads. Often times these roads will freeze first even at temperatures above freezing.

·         Don’t pass snow plows and allow them plenty of room so they can do their best to clear the roads

·         Don’t assume that just because your vehicle has four wheel drive or is a front wheel drive it can handle the snow. Even four wheel drive and front wheel drive vehicles can encounter problems on snow covered roads.

·         Have an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle which should include but not limited to a cell phone, blankets, food, water, hat, gloves, ice scrapper, and hand warmers.

In conclusion the best advice we can give is if there is inclement weather don’t drive unless you have to. Allow our public utilities time to adequately clear the roadways.

WHERE CAN I DROP OFF OLD PRESCRIPTION DRUGS?

Please help prevent prescription drug abuse. If you have expired medications or   medications you are no longer prescribed please bring your medications to the Door County Sheriff’s Department at:

Door County Justice Center

1201 S. Duluth Avenue

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 54235

The Door County Sheriff’s Department accepts drop-offs Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. They will accept your prescription medications and over the counter medications (pills and capsules) at the main reception area. Once there please remove all medications from their appropriate bottles and place the medications into the provided bag and close it. Then place the bag into the metal pass through where a Sheriff’s Department staff member will take the medications and secure them. These medications will then be disposed of at a secured facility several times a month.

What items are not accepted at the Door County Sheriff’s Department:

·         Liquids

·         Creams

·         Syringes

·         Lotions

·         Chemo Therapy Drugs

·         Aerosols

·         Inhalers

·         Needles

·         Thermometers

THANK YOU for your help on the war on drugs.

WHAT IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT

If you are involved in an accident you must notify the Police if there are any of the following:

1.      Injury or fatality of a person.
2.      Damage to one person's property to an extent of $1,000 or more.
3.      Damage to government owned property to an extent of $200 or more, except government owned vehicles, which are $1,000.

If none of the above are present you may chose to not contact the Police and work things out between all parties by completing a Driver Self Reporting Accident Form which can be found on the Sturgeon Bay Police Department’s Website or by picking one up at the Sturgeon Bay Police Department. The information that is required on this form is vehicles involved to include license plate information. The drivers’ names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance company information including the company’s name, agent and telephone number.

If you have any doubt or any questions please contact the Sturgeon Bay Police Department and an Officer will respond to assist.

WHEN YOU TRAVEL PLAN AHEAD

If you are going to be traveling out of town for a Winter vacation plan ahead and have piece of mind while you are away. Notify the Sturgeon Bay Police Department prior to leaving and we will provide residential security checks for you while you are away contact the Sturgeon Bay Police Department at 920-746-2450 for more information.

ANIMAL BITES

If any pet which has a current rabies vaccination is involved in a bite or a scratch incident, the owner shall isolate and confine that animal for a minimum of ten days. During that confinement a licensed veterinarian at a minimum shall exam the pet on the first day, tenth day and on one day in between at the owner’s expense. If the animal is confined at the residence of the owner, it must not be allowed to come in contact with other animals or people and cannot be left unattended outside.

Any animal involved in a bite or scratch incident that has not been vaccinated or has not been revaccinated within the prescribed time must be confined at a veterinary hospital, under the supervision of a veterinarian, for a minimum of ten days or as recommended by the veterinarian. During that confinement that veterinarian at a minimum shall exam the pet on the first day, tenth day and on one day in between at the owner’s expense. Under no circumstances can the owner sell, give away, or destroy the animal until it has been released by a licensed veterinarian after the ten-day confinement (quarantine) period.

Failure to follow this ordinance may result in a fine or confinement or both.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Anytime a child has an accident, it's tragic, so this Halloween please remember these safety tips:

 

·        Remind your children to look both ways before they cross the street

·        Make sure your children are visible at night. Try using reflective tape or glow sticks.

·        If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are big enough to see out of.

·        Have your children only go to homes with their outside lights on

·        Don’t let your children eat their treats until they have been inspected by you for any opened or suspicious candy.

·        Set a time for your children to return home

·        Trick-or-treat in groups

 

Have a Safe Halloween and remember to stop by the Sturgeon Bay City Hall and meet our communities Police Officers, Fire Fighters and Rescue personnel.

INSURANCE LAWS

In Wisconsin the owner of a motor vehicle must have a liability insurance policy that meets the minimum requirements for proof of financial responsibility. However on November 01, 2011 the minimum requirements will change. The current coverage levels would lower from $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident to $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, $10,000 in Property Damage. If you are caught driving without automobile insurance you can face a fine of up to $250.00.

CLICK IT OR TICKET & CHILD SAFETY SEATS

Wisconsin law requires all passengers to use a safety restraint while riding in a vehicle. If you or your passengers are not wearing your seat belt you can be pulled over and issued a citation ranging anywhere from $10.00 - $265.00. So do yourself a favor and wear your seat belt it could save your life.

Also if you have questions about your child’s safety seat or to check if it is installed correctly please contact Trooper J. Austin of the Wisconsin State Patrol at 920-929-3700

DON’T BE A TARGET

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department would like to remind residents and visitors to please lock your vehicle and keep your valuables out of sight to help prevent crime. Leaving valuables in plain view such as your cellular phones, GPS systems, planners, purses, identification and credit cards allow criminals to gain valuable information about out to steal your identity. So do yourself a favor and protect yourself by locking your vehicles and keeping your valuables with you or out of sight.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU OBSERVE OR ARE A VICTIM OF A CRIME

If you observe a crime in progress or are a victim of a crime in the City of Sturgeon Bay please follow these general guidelines.

·        Remain calm

·        Be a good observer get as much information without getting involved

·        Get to a safe location

·        Contact Door County Dispatch by calling 911 for emergencies or 920-746-2416 for non-emergencies (be prepared to give your location, name, address, telephone number and a detailed description of what is going on.

·        Remain on the line until the Dispatcher advises you it is alright to hang up.

IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION

• IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION

In the past few years not many crimes have increased as rapidly as Identity Theft, with the advances in technology criminals are finding  it easier and easier to get your information. So what can you do? Follow these tips to help protect yourself.

·        Retrieve your mail in a timely manner. If you are going to be away from home for a period of time have the Post Office hold your mail or have someone you trust pick it up.

·        Don’t write down your account numbers

·        Use a secure mailbox when available

·        Shred all financial documents, billing statements and pre-approved credit card offers before throwing them into the trash or recycling bin. Cross cut shredding is the best.

·        Pay bills online through a secure site

·        Memorize all your passwords

·        Examine all of your bank statements and credit statements for suspicious activity

·        Keep your personal information confidential. Only give this information to people you trust in a location where no one else can over hear.

·        Don’t give out your credit card information unless you are on a secure website

·        When at the ATM verify nobody is behind you while you are entering your PIN

·        Minimize the number of identification and credit cards you carry with you. Take only what is necessary in case your wallet or purse is stolen or misplaced.

·        Examine your credit reports from the major credit reporting firms at least once a year looking for any suspicious activity.

So what do you do if you suspect you are the victim of identity theft.

·        Call the Police Department

·        Check your bank accounts

·        Contact your bank and the credit reporting agencies

·        Work with your creditors

If you follow these tips you can help reduce the possibilities of being a victim to identity theft.

SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY

As school starts for another year the Sturgeon Bay Police would like to remind motorists that keeping our children safe in school zones is a top priority. Please help us keep our kids safe by following some of these basic rules:

• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks cross walks pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks; motorists must yield to them when turning.  Stop for pedestrians when making a right-turn-on-red or left-turn on full green, leaving enough room at intersections so that pedestrians can cross safely. 
• Watch the roadway at all times, and always follows the speed limit, which is lowered in designated school zones.
• Remember children are often times unpredictable be on the look out for all pedestrians.   
• It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus while its lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off. Motorists approaching from either direction must wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding and stop a minimum of 100 feet away.
• The most important thing you can do to protect children in school zones is to slow down.

SAFE AND SOBER

Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Getting behind the wheel after even just one too many drinks can lead to disaster.

Don’t drink and drive, walk home, have a designated driver, or take a taxi. The City of Sturgeon Bay has several taxis which are available twenty-four hours a day to provide you a ride for a fair cost.

If your vehicle is parked down town and you are concerned about it being towed please contact a local Police Officer who can grant you permission to park your vehicle overnight. In conclusion don’t drink and drive it could save your life.