Police Department

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I call 911? 
Can I legally discharge a firearm in the City?

Where can I have my fingerprints taken? 
Can I make a police report over the phone? 
Where can I obtain a copy of a an accident report? 
Where can I find more information about a parking ticket? 
How can I pay a traffic ticket? 
Who should we notify when we go on vacation? 
How long do I have to register my vehicle(s) after moving here from out of state? 
How do I apply for a concealed Handgun Permit? 
Can I volunteer my time at the police department? 
How do I evict someone from my property? 
Am I allowed to pet the police dogs? 
How do I make a Crime Watch Report? 
Where can I learn about the city noise ordinance? 
Why did I get a parking ticket in the mail? (Autochalk system) 
What do I need to know about burglar alarms on my property? 

When should I call 911?

911 is the number to call when you want to report a serious crime, such as a life threatening emergency, or a crime in progress. Our 911 dispatchers are trained to give medical information on the phone in addition to dispatching emergency personnel.

When making a 911 call it is important to stay calm and stay on the telephone line until the dispatcher notifies you that it is all right to hang up.

Can I legally discharge a firearm in the City?

City Code 54-7, revised, requires a Firearms Discharge permit for hunters and re-enactors, beginning July 1, 2009.  Those persons required to obtain a permit to discharge a firearm within the city limits must fill out an application, which can be obtained at Fredericksburg Police Headquarters located at 2200 Cowan Blvd.   A $10 permit fee is also required to be paid at the time the application is submitted for approval (unable to accept credit or debit cards).  Once the application is approved by the Chief of Police, the applicant will be contacted to pick up their permit.  The permits are valid from July 1 through June 30 of the following year.  Regarding re-enactment events, only the person in charge of the event must obtain a permit but must list the dates, locations, and the approximate number of participants for all events to be held during the permit period.  Questions concerning the issuance of these permits should be directed to the Records section of the Fredericksburg Police Department at (540)372-1165 during regular business hours.

Where can I have my fingerprints taken?
The Fredericksburg Police Department provides fingerprinting services for City residents on Wednesdays only from 10am - 3pm. The fee for this service is $10 for the first fingerprint card and $5 for each additional card per visit. Only cash payments will be accepted. (Exceptions: NO FEE for prints ordered by the courts, Social Services, for taxi permits or concealed weapons permits.) Please call 540-372-1165 Monday through Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm for further information.

Can I make a police report over the phone?
You may report a past occurred incident such as a larceny or vandalism over the phone by calling the police department's main number, 540-654-5730, Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Normally you will be required to leave your name and contact phone number with a dispatcher and an officer will return your call that day.  Police reports can also be made through the internet using the P2C System.  These reports can be made 24 hours a day.

Where can I obtain a copy of a an accident report?
Accident reports are available for inspection by any person involved or injured in the accident, the person's attorney, or insurance representative. Reports may be obtained by clicking here. Reports are also available through our Records Division Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

For more information, call the Information and Records Bureau at 540-654-5711 or 540-654-5715, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Where can I find more information about a parking ticket?
See the ticket option form below which gives detailed instructions on all options available to a person who has been charged with a violation of an Ordinance governing parking in the City of Fredericksburg.

PDF file (139 KB) - Fredericksburg Police Ticket Option Form
 

A parking ticket can be paid in person, by mail, or online:
To pay in person, deliver your payment to the Office of the Treasurer in City Hall, located at 715 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.

To pay by mail, send your payment to Office of the Treasurer, at P.O. Box 267, Fredericksburg, VA 22404.

To pay online, go the City of Fredericksburg's e-Treasurer Applications for more information.

How can I pay a traffic ticket?
A traffic ticket can be paid in person, by mail, or online:

To pay in person, deliver your payment to the Clerk of the General District Court, located at 615 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.

To pay by mail, send your payment to the Clerk of the General District Court, at P.O. Box 180, Fredericksburg, VA 22404.

To pay online, go to the Virginia's Judicial System web site for more information.
Please call the Fredericksburg General District Court at 540-372-1043 for additional information or questions.

Who should we notify when we go on vacation?
You may call the main number, 540-654-5730, and inform the operator that you wish to notify the department that you will be away. This information is forwarded to the Patrol Division.

How long do I have to register my vehicle(s) after moving here from out of state?
Pursuant to Section 46.2-662 of the Code of Virginia, a new resident and owner of any passenger vehicle, pickup or panel truck, or motorcycle which has been registered for the current calendar year in another state or country and displays the license plate or plates for the other state or country, will be able to operate such vehicle in Virginia for the first thirty (30) days of new residency without paying any fees to Virginia.

How do I apply for a concealed Handgun Permit?
Contact the Circuit Court web site to get directions on how to apply for a concealed handgun permit.

Can I volunteer my time at the police department?
Volunteers are welcome in various administrative positions within the police department. Contact Sgt. Bill Hyer at 654-5739 for more information.

How do I evict someone from my property?
For information regarding civil process related to evictions, contact the Fredericksburg Sheriff's Office at 540-372-1056.

Am I allowed to pet the police dogs?
As a general rule, petting the police dogs is not allowed. Understand that our police dogs are highly trained and are not to be considered as pets. In certain circumstances permission to pet a police dog may be granted, but only from the K9 officer handling the dog.

How do I make a Crime Watch Report?
Call 540-372-1055 to make a Crime Watch Report. You do not have to give your name. Rewards may be given of up to $1000.00 for information leading to arrests & convictions.

Where can I learn about the city noise ordinance?
The city noise control ordinance (Ordinance No. 03-21) is effective as of August 26, 2003. Download or view the following file that contains a full description of the city noise ordinance.

PDF file (22 KB) - City of Fredericksburg Noise Control Ordinance 
 

Why did I get a parking ticket in the mail? (autoChalk system)
In July 2007, the Fredericksburg Police Department implemented new technology called autoChalk to encourage residents and visitors to obey the time-zone parking restrictions in the downtown district. The autoChalk system employs a vehicle-mounted camera, laser, laptop, and GPS unit which tracks the turnover of vehicles in time-restricted parking. The parking enforcement officer drives through the downtown area at the posted speed limit while autoChalk records parked vehicles through digital photography and specialized software. When the Parking Enforcement Officer drives through the area again after the time limit expires, autoChalk alerts the officer to any violations detected. The officer compares the before-and after images to confirm the infraction and autoChalk generates a ticket to be sent by mail to the vehicle's owner, using information from the license plate registration. Click here for more information

What do I need to know about burglar alarms on my property?
The City requires a permit for any alarm that automatically notifies the police department upon activation. Alarm permits are renewed through the City Treasurer’s Office. Further explanation from the City Code Section 34-61 through 34-67:

Sec. 34-61. Required.
No person shall install or maintain in the city any alarm system installed with a mechanism for the automatic transmission of an alarm to the city police department without having a valid permit issued in accordance with this article. Such permit may be obtained either by the owner of the protected premises or by an alarm company operator as agent for such owner.
(Code 1991, § 13-221(a)(1))

Sec. 34-62. Application.
(a) All applications for permits under this article shall be filed with the chief of police or his designee. (b) The chief of police shall prescribe the form of the application, which shall contain the following pertinent information on the applicant and the premises where the alarm is installed: type of system, manufacturer's name, service company's name, and full information on at least two people who can be reached if the alarm is activated and who are authorized to deactivate the alarm system.
(Code 1991, § 13-222(a), (b))

Sec. 34-63. Grounds for denial.
An alarm system permit may be denied by the chief of police if:
(1) An applicant fails to comply with or meet any requirement of this article;
(2) An applicant makes a material false statement on his application; or
(3) The chief of police makes a written determination that the issuance of a permit would constitute an unreasonable burden to the police department or would endanger the public safety.
(Code 1991, § 13-222(c))

Sec. 34-64. Fee.
All permits and renewals of permits under this article shall be issued upon the payment of a $25.00 permit fee to the city treasurer.
(Code 1991, § 13-221(a)(2))

Sec. 34-65. Term.
A permit issued pursuant to this article shall be valid only for the calendar year in which it is issued.
(Code 1991, § 13-221(a)(3))

Sec. 34-66. Prohibited connections.
(a) Automatic dialing devices shall not be installed to any trunk line going into a city building other than on a line specified by the chief of police.
(b) Interconnects to the city police alarm board from residential premises are prohibited.
(Code 1991, § 13-221(b)(1),(2))

Sec. 34-67. Suspension or revocation.
The chief of police may revoke or suspend a permit issued under this article if:
(1) The permit application contains a false statement of a material fact;
(2) The permittee fails to comply with any provision of this article; or
(3) An alarm system repeatedly activates false alarms.
(Code 1991, § 13-223)