Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

• Where is the Orange Police Department?
• What are the police department's hours?
• How do I report an emergency to OPD?
• How do I report a non-emergency to OPD?
• How can I report a loud party in my neighborhood?  Will the police shut down the party?
• How can I get a restraining order?
• How do I obtain a copy of a police report?  What do I need to bring with me?
• How do I pick up my property that was taken for evidence or safekeeping?
• How can I become involved with the Orange Police Department?
• Can I give an anonymous tip to the police department?
• I am going on vacation.  Will the Orange Police Department check my home or business while I am on vacation?

Alarm Services

• I have a burglar alarm for my home and/or business.  Do I need to get an alarm permit from the City of Orange?
• Are there fees for false alarm calls?  
• Do I have to renew my permit every year?

Traffic

• How do I get a citation signed off?
• How do I contest a traffic citation?
• I lost my traffic citation.  How can I get another copy?
• How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
• How do I report illegally parked vehicles?
• How can I find out if my vehicle was towed or impounded?
• How do I get my car out of impound after 30 days?
• How do I get a bicycle license?
• What should I do if I am involved in a traffic collision?  Do the police need to take a report?
• What type of child seat do I need for my child?
• How can I report habitual traffic problems?

Parking

• How do I contest a parking citation?
• I lost my parking citation.  How can I get another copy?
• How do I pay for my parking citation?
• I live in a neighborhood with permit parking.  How do I get a parking permit?
• I lost my parking permit.  How can I get another one?
• Can I park my RV or trailer on the street?

General Information

Where is the Orange Police Department?

The Orange Police Department is located at 1107 N. Batavia St., Orange, Ca, 92867.  Click here for a map and directions.

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What are the police department's hours?

The front desk is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

The Traffic Bureau counter is open Monday to Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and closed all major holidays.

The Records counter is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.  For after-hour vehicle releases, call 714-744-7380.

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How do I report an emergency to OPD?

Dial 911 immediately.

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How do I report a non-emergency to OPD?

To report a non-emergency to OPD, call our business line at 714-744-7444.  Non-emergency reports can also be taken at the Police Department's front desk, which is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Our police station is located at 1107 N. Batavia St., Orange, Ca, 92867.  Click here for a map and directions.

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How can I report a loud party in my neighborhood?  Will the police shut down the party?

To report a loud public disturbance, call the Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444.  Officers will respond to the residence and may issue a written warning to the host of the party.  If the problem persists, call the police department again.  A second response may result in fines to the host of the party.

Due to high priority calls for service, response times to reports of loud parties may be extended on nights and weekends.

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How can I get a restraining order?

Restraining orders are issued by the courts.  For more information, view the Protective Order Guide by clicking here.

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How do I obtain a copy of a police report?  What do I need to bring with me?

To obtain a copy of a police report, you must come to the Police Department's Records counter, which is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Saturday.  Reports will only be released to parties involved in the incident.  You must bring a valid form of identification to receive a copy of any reports, and fees may apply.

Any reports involving a juvenile cannot be released without approval from Juvenile Court.  To receive approval, submit a Petition To Obtain Report of Law Enforcement Agency form to Juvenile Court.  To download a copy of this form, click here.

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How do I pick up my property that was taken for evidence or safekeeping?

Property is only released by appointment between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm from Monday to Thursday.  To schedule an appointment, call 714-744-7395 or 714-744-7396. 

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How can I become involved with the Orange Police Department?

The Orange Police Department offers several opportunities to members of the community who want to become involved with the police department.  These range from volunteer work to paid positions as a Reserve Police Officer.   To learn more about all of these opportunities, click here.

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Can I give an anonymous tip to the police department?

Yes.  To anonymously report something to the Orange Police Department, click here.

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I am going on vacation.  Will the Orange Police Department check my home or business while I am on vacation?

Yes.  The Orange Police Department offers free vacation checks for residences and businesses.  Click on these links for more information about Business Vacation Checks or Residential Vacation Checks.

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Alarm Services

I have a burglar alarm for my home and/or business.  Do I need to get an alarm permit from the City of Orange?

No.  The City of Orange does not require you to  have an Alarm User's Permit.  Residents and business owners that operate a security alarm system are required to fill out an Alarm Information form.  

Click here to download a copy of the Alarm Information Form.  After completing the application, send it to the Police Department.  The Alarm Information form will be returned to you with your Customer Number and the Orange Municipal Codes.  Mail to:

        Orange Police Department
        Alarm Unit
        1107 N. Batavia St.
        Orange, Ca  92867


Are there fees for false alarms calls?

1st call is free
2nd call is free
3rd call is $150.00
4th call is $200.00
Each additional is $200.00 each


Do I have to renew my permit every year?

No.  As of April 7, 2011, the City of Orange no long requires commercial business owners to renew alarm permit for thier security system.

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Parking

How do I contest a parking citation?

Make a copy of the citation, write a letter explaining why you are contesting the citation, and mail it to:

        City of Orange
        Parking Administration
        PO Box 25120
        Santa Ana, Ca  92799-5120

In your letter, please include any documents that can support your dispute.

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I lost my parking citation.  How can I get another copy?

Come to the Orange Police Department's Traffic Bureau counter, which is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Thursday.  You will need to provide the license plate number of the vehicle that was issued the citation and the date on which the citation was issued.  The fee for a replacement citation is $2.00.

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How do I pay for my parking citation?

Your parking citation is also an envelope.  Make your payment, place it inside the envelope, and mail it to the address printed on the outside of the envelope.  At this time, checks and money orders are the only accepted form of payment.  You may also drop your payment envelope in the blue Utility Bill payment box located on the east curb of Grand St., next to City Hall.  Be sure to place a stamp on the envelope and allow extra time for your payment to be processed.



I live in a neighborhood with permit parking.  How do I get a parking permit?

Come to the Orange Police Department's Traffic Bureau counter, which is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Thursday.  Bring the following documents with you:

• Current utility bill or lease agreement in your name
• Current vehicle registration showing the vehicle is registered to your current residing address
• Valid California driver's license or identification showing your current residing address

Parking RV's, trailers, or other oversized vehicles on public streets in the City of Orange is regulated by several laws.  For more information on these laws, please view the Laws Affecting Recreational and Oversized Vehicles flyer.  If you have any other questions, please contact Kelly Pagano at 714-744-7451 or kpagano@orangepd.org.

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