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Police

Show All Answers

1. How do I obtain a copy of a report and how much does it cost?

You can obtain copies of police/accident reports by calling 608-849-4523. You may be asked some basic questions that will assist in locating the record such as case number, date/location of incident etc.. There is a charge of 25 cents per page.

2. How do I contact the Waunakee Police Department in a nonemergency situation?

For nonemergency situations please call (608) 849-4523. Since we only have two office staff, office hours vary. When the office is closed, phone calls are answered by the Dane County Communication Center.

3. How can I receive the Waunakee Police Department newsletter?

Request to receive the Police Department newsletter can be found by clicking here.  

4. Where is the police department located and where do I park?

The Waunakee Police Department is located at 205 North Klein Drive in Waunakee Wisconsin 53597. There is parking on both sides of Klein Drive and a small lot in the front of the police department.

5. What are the police department hours?

Monday-Friday 7am-5pm (exception holidays and office staff vacation) the police department’s lobby is open. If the lobby is locked, there is a phone that will ring into the police department, and an officer will come out to assist you.

6. I was a victim of a crime and the suspect was arrested. How do I learn if the suspect is still in the jail?

If the suspect was arrested in Dane County and booked into the Dane County Jail, you may use the VINE service to obtain offender information. You may reach the VINE service by calling 1-877-418-8463 or go online www.vinelink.com .

7. What can I do about suspicious activity in my neighborhood?

You may contact the Waunakee Police Department’s non- emergency line 608-849-4523 to report suspicious activity. Be prepared to provide as much information as you have regarding type of activity, dates/times, descriptions of individuals, vehicles, plate numbers etc. Never confront individuals engaged in suspicious activity. Be a good witness! In most cases, you may remain anonymous.

8. I think the people living next to me are selling drugs. Who can I call?

You may call the Waunakee Police Department’s anonymous Tip-Line at 849-2TIP (2847). You may also call the Waunakee Police Department’s non-emergency number 608-849-4523. Be prepared to provide as much information as you have regarding type of activity, dates/times, descriptions of individuals, vehicles, plate numbers etc. Never confront individuals engaged in suspicious activity. You may remain anonymous.

9. How do I obtain a Restraining Order or Personal Protection Order (PPO).

Information about how to obtain various types of restraining orders in Dane County can be found at: 

https://courts.countyofdane.com/Resources/Forms/temp-restraining-order-forms

10. What can I do about annoying or threatening phone calls?

If you become a victim of annoying phone calls, you should report them to the police department. Your phone company may be able to assist in tracking the origin of the calls if they have a police report number. Law enforcement takes threatening calls seriously, and so should you, especially if you have been the victim of domestic violence.

11. I am divorced from my spouse and my ex will not allow me to see my children as required by the court-ordered visitation. I want the Waunakee Police Department to help me see my children.

Marriages, divorces, child custody, and child visitation are covered by the civil laws of the State of Wisconsin. Law Enforcement officers generally cannot enforce civil laws of the state. We would respond to all requests over child custody/visitation disputes to ensure no violence occurred or that no other laws were violated. If it is only a dispute over visitation, both parties would be referred to their private attorneys to file the appropriate contempt of court charges with the court that issued the order. If there were criminal statutes violated, then appropriate action will be taken.

12. I have some information on a crime that occurred several weeks ago that would probably help solve the case. Who do I call?

You may contact the Waunakee Police Department’s non-emergency number 608-849-4523 and speak to any police officer or you may contact the department’s Tip line at 849-2TIP (2847). In either case you may remain anonymous.

13. Can I report an abandoned vehicle?

Yes. Contact the Waunakee Police Department 608-849-4523. Provide a description and location of the vehicle. The officer will mark the tires and place a warning notice on the vehicle. If the vehicle is not removed in a designated period of time, it will be towed.

14. What is the odd/even parking ordinance?

Beginning November 1 and ending April 1, no person shall park or leave standing any vehicle between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on the even-numbered side of the street on the odd-numbered calendar days and on the odd-numbered side of the street on the even-numbered calendar days, except as posted otherwise.

15. How and when can I file an accident report?

In some situations, you must report an accident to Police. If the police were unable to file an accident report, you must complete and submit a Driver Accident Report within 10 days of an accident, if any of the following apply:
1. The accident caused injury or death.
2. Property damage to at least one person's property amounted to $1,000 or more.
3. Damage to government property, other than vehicles, amounted to $200 or more.
If you fail to report an accident to the Wisconsin DOT, you may have your license suspended. In the event that another driver offers to pay for damages and asks you not to report an accident, you are still required to file the report in any of the situations outlined above.
If you have been involved in an accident in the Village of Waunakee you may contact the Waunakee Police Department to have the crash investigated. If you were involved in an accident in another jurisdiction you may contact the law enforcement agency for that jurisdiction or you may submit a Driver Report of Accident (Self-Report Form). These forms are available at the Waunakee Police Department or the DMV.

16. How do I find out about Crime in my neighborhood or a neighborhood I am moving into?

You may contact the police department and ask to speak with the Lieutenant who can provide useful information and/or statistical data. You may also utilize on-line data at the listed web site. http://www.city-data.com/city/Waunakee-Wisconsin.html

17. How do I get traffic enforcement in my neighborhood?

Waunakee Officers enforce traffic laws throughout the entire village. If you would like to ask for extra patrols of a particular street, during a specific time of day, for vehicles speeding or driving recklessly, you may contact the police department at 608-849-4523.

18. My identity was stolen, what do I do?

Follow the link to some valuable information regarding identity theft:

https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/identity-theft

19. Somebody just tried to scam me through the telephone/internet/mail etc. What can I do?

If you immediately recognized the call as a scam and did not provide any information, it is not necessary to contact law enforcement. However, if you believe you may have provided some of your personal identifying information, you should contact the Waunakee Police Department.

20. Where do I pay my traffic or parking ticket?

Traffic Tickets are paid via mail or in person at
Waunakee Village Hall-Clerk of Courts
500 West Main Street
Waunakee, WI. 53597
Clerk of Courts Phone # 608-849-4573

Parking Tickets are paid via mail or in person at
Waunakee Police Department
205 North Klein Drive
Waunakee, WI. 53597
Non-Emergency Number 608-849-4523

21. Does my child need to be in a child seat?

Children under 4 years of age are required to be in an approved Child Restraint System (and in the rear seat if available). A child in a rear facing restraint system may be in the front seat ONLY if the passenger side airbag has been deactivated. Children ages 4-7 and under 4’ 9” tall are required to be in an approved child restraint system (booster seat). Children ages 8 to 16 must be buckled with the available seat belt regardless of where they are seated. This violation is a primary enforcement violation, meaning you can be stopped and ticketed for this violation alone.

22. Do I have to register my bicycle with the Waunakee Police Department?

The Village requires that all residents register their bicycles with the department. This can be done anytime in person by completing a registration card at the department. Owners will be issued a sticker for the bicycle that is valid for as long as you own the bicycle. The cost is $1.00 per bicycle. The license will help the Police Department return the bicycle to you if the bicycle is lost or stolen.

23. How do I get my fingerprints taken?

The Waunakee Police Department will take fingerprints for various certifications, licenses, and clearances. We prefer individuals contact the police department’s non- emergency line at 608-849-4523 to schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints taken. There is no charge for people who live in the 53597 Zip Code. For individuals outside the 53597 zip code there is a $15.00 charge. You will need to provide a valid identification such as a photo driver’s license or ID card. If you have fingerprint cards, please bring them. The police department has a limited supply on hand.

24. What are the regulations regarding construction-related noise

Construction equipment in any zone may be operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., provided that such equipment does not exceed a maximum sound level of 80 dB(A) measured at the property line of the location at which such equipment is in use.

25. We are going on vacation. What do we need to do to have the Police Department check our house while we are gone?

You may request to have Waunakee Police Officers periodically check the exterior, perimeter of your property while you are on vacation by completing a Vacation Watch request form. Officers will take a walk around the house at various times during their shift looking for open doors, windows or other suspicious circumstances. You will be asked to provide a contact number in case an officer needs to reach you. Vacation watches do not take the place of basic home security or an alarm system. Forms are available at the Waunakee Police Department or online.

26. What are the restrictions on fireworks?

In general, anything that explodes or leaves the ground is illegal without a valid permit issued by the Village. Snakes and sparklers are about the only items not prohibited by law.

27. What are the hours of Curfew in the Village of Waunakee?

It shall be unlawful for any juvenile under 16 years of age to be on foot, bicycle or in any type of vehicle on any public street, avenue, highway, road, alley, park, school grounds, swimming beach, cemetery, playground, public building or any other public place in the village between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless accompanied by such juvenile's parent or guardian or person having lawful custody and control of such person or unless there exists a reasonable necessity therefor. The fact that the juvenile, unaccompanied by parent, guardian or other person having legal custody, is found upon any such public place during the hours mentioned in this section shall be prima facie evidence that the juvenile is there unlawfully and that no reasonable excuse exists therefor.

28. What is the Village of Waunakee’s approach to door to door sales?

It is unlawful for any transient merchant to engage in direct sales within the village without being registered and issued a permit. The definition of transient merchant is as follows; Any individual who engages in the retail sale of merchandise at any place in this state temporarily, and who does not intend to become and does not become a permanent merchant of such place. For purposes of this definition sale of merchandise includes a sale in which the personal services rendered upon or in connection with the merchandise constitutes the greatest part of value for the price received, but does not include a farm auction sale conducted by or for a resident farmer of personal property used on the farm, or the sale of produce or other perishable products at retail or wholesale by a resident of this state.

There are organizations such as charitable, non-profit organizations that may be exempt from having to obtain a permit. As a general rule, if you are being asked to make a charitable contribution ask for some proof of credentials, literature and the organizations mission etc. You should consider making your contribution by mailing a check to the organization’s main office. Persistent and aggressive attempts to solicit cash donations should be viewed with reasonable skepticism. In any case if you have questions or concerns regarding people going door to door, please contact the Waunakee Police Department.

29. How can I safely dispose of unused/unwanted medications?

The Waunakee Police Department has a med-drop box located in their lobby. We encourage people to bring their unwanted/unused medications to the police department and drop them in the med-drop box during normal business hours M-F 7am-6pm. Information about how to dispose of medication using the med-drop box can be found here. The police department participates in a state-wide drug round up twice per year and the medications are safely and securely transported to an incinerator.

30. What can I do if I lock my keys in my car?

The Waunakee Police Department will assist in unlocking your vehicle. You may contact the non-emergency number 608-849-4523 and an officer will come to your location in the Village of Waunakee. You will be asked to sign a damage waiver releasing the officer and the department from responsibility should any damage occur. While our officers are usually successful in gaining entry to your vehicle, they are not trained lock-smiths. There is no charge for this service.

31. Does the Waunakee Police Department allow Citizen ride-alongs?

Yes. Individuals who are 18 years of age or older may fill out an application to do a citizen ride-along. Once a basic background check has been completed, the citizen will be scheduled to ride for a period of four hours with one of our officers during their normal patrol shift. Citizen ride-alongs are encouraged for those individuals exploring careers in law enforcement or people who would like to learn first-hand some of the duties of a police officer.

32. Does the Waunakee Police Department have a Citizen’s Academy?

Yes. The Waunakee Police Department hosts an Emergency Services Citizen’s Academy once per year, usually beginning in September. The Citizen’s Academy lasts 8 weeks. During that time participants work side by side with Police, Fire, and EMS in simulated exercises. Participants have the opportunity to participate in “real-life” scenarios that are encountered by police officers, firefighters, and EMT’s. Participants get to experience the exhilaration of driving a police squad car during a controlled, simulated vehicle pursuit on a closed racetrack. Participants are also given the opportunity to suit up in a full firefighter suit and climb the ladder on a real firetruck and operate an active firehose. If you are interested in learning more about the citizen’s academy or would like to sign up for the next class, please contact Sgt. Adam Kreitzman at 608-849-4523. Classes are limited to 8-12 participants and they fill up quickly.

33. I have a stray animal in my yard, what should I do?

Contact the police department’s non-emergency number 608-849-4523. An officer will attempt to safely capture the stray animal. Waunakee Police will only attempt to pick up domestic animals (for example, dogs and cats). Officers will make every attempt to locate the owner of the stray animal. Waunakee Police Officers utilizing a “chip reader” will scan the animal in an attempt to retrieve information to assist in returning the animal to its owner. If the officer is not able to locate the owner within a couple of hours, Dane County Animal Control is contacted and the stray animal is turned over to them. Animal Control Officers transport the stray to the Dane County Humane Society where the animal will wait to be re-united with their owner.

34. The neighbor dog is constantly barking. What should we do?

We encourage people to share information regarding barking dogs with the pet’s owner. If that does not remedy the situation or you don’t feel comfortable talking to the neighbor, you may contact the Waunakee Police Department. You may provide your name or remain anonymous. Officers will attempt to locate the barking dog and their owner. Typically, owners are warned that their barking dog is creating a nuisance in their neighborhood and they need to take corrective measures. Repeated complaints to the same residence may result in a citation being issued to the dog’s owner.

35. I have a raccoon or opossum living under my deck and damaging our landscape. What can I do?

There are a number of pest control businesses that operate in the Dane County area. You may choose to contact any one of them to assist. The police department does have a limited number of Live-traps that we loan out to village residents. Should you catch the raccoon it is your responsibility to transport and release the animal safely into a more rural setting.

36. What are the Park hours in the Village of Waunakee?

Except for authorized events and subject to certain exceptions listed in this section, all village parks shall be closed from 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following day, and it shall be unlawful to enter in or be upon any park, playground, or swimming pool after the hour designated.