Police

(DIAL 911 FOR ALL FIRES AND EMERGENCIES)

For Non-Emergency Calls Dial: (908) 859-1212

General Information

Scott Marinelli, Chief Of Police
Email: Scott Marinelli

Shirley Emery, Police Records Clerk
Monday/Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
Tel: (908) 859-3355 Ext. 242
Fax: (908) 859-5291
Email: Shirley Emery
Police Voicemail: (908) 859-2301


Links






Mission Statement

The mission of the Lopatcong Township Police Department is to protect life and property, maintain public order, and to foster an atmosphere of community commitment between the police and township residents.


Routine Complaints

Most routine compaints, such as parking violations, minor property damage, and noise violations are not emergencies. If you need to speak with the police about a routine problem, call (908) 859-1212. Officers will assess your situation and handle it in an appropriate and timely manner. Please call 911 ONLY when you need an immediate response to an emergency situation.


Domestic Violence

Every person has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home. If you are a victim of domestic violence, call 911. Officers will respond immediately. If the situation demands, we can, at any time, help you obtain a temporary restraining order against your attacker. We also want you to call us if you think you may be in a potentially abusive situation, and are afraid for yourself or your children. If you need to speak to someone about your legal options and local services, we suggest you contact the New Jersey Battered Women's Service @ (973) 267-4763, or the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline @ (800) 572-7233. Trained counselors are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions and provide guidance. All calls are completely confidential.


Operation Identification

Studies indicate that valuables which can be easily identified are least attractive to thieves. We encourage you to take a full inventory of all the valuables in your home. Many people do this once and forget about it. What's the date on your list? Have you purchased a new computer, TV, camera or bicycle? If the answer is "yes", take some time to update your inventory. The next step is marking your valuables for easy identification. The best ID is your driver's license number. If your belongings are found, any police officer can track them with your driver's license number.


Alarm Registration

All residents and businesses that have alarm systems are required to register them with the police department (local ordinance 69-1). The form is available through the police records clerk during normal business hours. The cost of doing so is $10.00 annually.
There are two types of alarm registration:

• Central Station is connected to a private alarm company monitoring station. It is the private company that notifies the police to respond to the alarm.
• Local Alarm produces a signal or sounding device for the purpose of summoning the police; it is not connected to a private monitoring station.

Please Note! False alarms are an unnecessary expenditure of police response time. Township residences and businesses having alarms will receive a warning letter after the first or second false alarm during one calendar year. After three false alarms in a single calendar year, the violator will be issued a summons under local ordinance 67-7. Fines are set by the violations bureau and are increased for subsequent false alarms during the remainder of that year.

• 3rd false alarm - $50.00 fine plus $25.00 for costs.
• Subsequent false alarms - $100.00 fine plus $25.00 for costs.

Drug Education

The Lopatcong Township Police Department supports the nationally acclaimed "Drug Abuse Resistance Education" program. Our specially trained D.A.R.E. officer is Patrolman - Travis Smith . He visits our schools and teaches our children how to say "no" to drugs. Lopatcong students participate in a concentrated D.A.R.E. program designed to give them the information and skills they will need as they face the challenges of their teenage years. Self-esteem, respect for the law and awareness of community support provide the foundation of this program.


Bicycle Safety

Helmets are the law in New Jersey for any child under 14 years of age (NJSA 39:4-10).