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Police Department

Kevin McQuaid, Chief

 Chief McQuaid has a Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement from Cleveland State University. He is a graduate of PELC IX (Police Executive Leadership College). Chief McQuaid joined the Police Department in July of 1977 and was promoted to Chief in November of 2002 after sixteen years as a Lieutenant.

Have a tip or information concerning a crime? Contact us using our secure form.

Report a malfunctioning traffic signal in the city by clicking here.

When experiencing an emergency, dial 911
To request a patrol unit for incidents that are NOT life threatening, call 216-433-1234.
For informational purposes call 216-433-1239.

Mission Statement
The primary mission of the Brook Park Police Department is to provide high quality services to our citizens with an emphasis on improving the quality of life in our community by promoting a safe environment.
To accomplish this goal,  we will prepare ourselves and our organization by achieving high levels of competency to provide police services that deter crime, protect persons and property, and create a sense of security in our community..
In the coming years, we will provide our organization and ourselves, through training and implementing policies and procedures that exemplify our genuine commitment to provide the best quality services for the citizens for whom we serve...

News

Local suburban communities including Brook Park are being warned about an increase of burglary by diversion crimes. These criminals are well organized and tend to target individuals who are home alone by distracting them to the basement or to the backyard. The first person usually comes to the door or approaches a resident posing as some sort of repairman or utility worker (roof contractor, railroad employee, etc.) and asks the resident to accompany him to inspect something on the property. While he is diverting the resident, his accomplice(s) enter the
home and search for money, jewelry and other valuables to steal. Oftentimes they have walkie-talkies and dress in official looking clothing such as reflective vests. The burglary is usually completed in less than five minutes. Please be aware of this new scam and if you have any suspicions, demand identification and/or call the police.
FREE GUN LOCKS!
In an effort to promote firearms safety the Brook Park Police are again offering free gun locks to residents with our Gun Lock Program. Residents can obtain Gun Locks at the Police Station. Please bring proof of residency, such as driver’s license or utility bill. The Gun Locks are FREE!
We request (but do not require) that a registration form be completed, that includes Make, Model, Caliber and Serial Number. This may be helpful if the weapon is lost or stolen. DO NOT BRING WEAPONS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. The locks are designed to fit revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, shotguns, and most rifles. An instruction pamphlet is included with each lock. The Police Department is strongly urging gun owner’s to do everything possible to prevent tragic
accidents involving firearms,

Information for Residents

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
The Police Department depends on citizens calling to report crimes or suspicious activity. Recently we have had a number of criminal mischief and criminal damaging complaints in our neighborhoods, including spray painting and other types of damage. We try to patrol all the neighborhoods, but often time an observant citizen is the important link that leads to apprehension. The dispatcher who takes your call will ask questions about the suspicious activity to determine its nature and ask for descriptions of the people involved. It may seem that they are asking numerous questions, but all the information is important to help us respond. Often a police cruiser is on the way while this information is being obtained. You may be asked if an officer or detective may contact you. Please call 911 or 216- 433-1234 to report suspicious activity. Or, you may make an anonymous report of criminal or suspicious activity at the city website using the link at the Police Department site.

TEEN PARTIES
The Police Department reminds you that anyone under 21 who uses, possesses or attempts to purchase alcoholic beverages is in violation of the Law. Juveniles will be charged accordingly. Adults, age 18 to 20, face a possible sentence of 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Parents or adults who provide and/or allow underage drinking in their home or on their property are in violation of Ohio’s “Keg Law.” Violation is punishable with up to 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Parents who host underage drinking also risk civic liability.

INHALANT ABUSE ON THE RISE
You may have seen recent reports on national news programs reporting a rise in inhalant abuse among teens. This has been a problem for years. Many parents are not aware that there have been severe injuries and deaths from a practice known as ‘dusting’. This form of inhalant abuse is associated with the use of cans of common aerosolized computer keyboard cleaners that contain compressed gas. It can provoke irregular heart rhythms which lead to sudden fatal cardiac arrest in even very young and healthy hearts. This is something every parent should at
least be aware of, as this practice has been shown in films and is on the internet.

REPORT MALFUNCTIONING TRAFFIC SIGNALS
We have created a form on our website to report any malfunctioning traffic signals. We will investigate all reports. Feel free to report any problems you might be having with the cycling of the new system at this website. This form will remain permanent so other outages or problems can be reported as well.

CRIME TIPS
You may also leave a ‘tip’ on a crime or criminal activity that occurred in your neighborhood. Just go to the website and follow the simple directions. We will keep your identity anonymous if you request. We only ask for personal information so that we may follow-up with you on the report.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What time is curfew?
Between the hours of 10:00 pm and 5:00 am on Sunday thru Thursday.
Between the hours of 11:00 pm and 5:00 am on Friday and Saturday.
Unless accompanied by parent or guardian or other responsible adult over the age of 21 who has been given permission by the parent or guardian. (Ord #509.09)

2. Can I park my car on the street overnight?
Parking is prohibited between the hours of 2:00am and 6:00am on any city street. Emergency permission may be granted by dispatch upon request.

3. I need to be fingerprinted. Can you do it?
We will fingerprint residents as a service to them. Generally, fingerprinting is done between the hours of 4pm and 6pm if a jailer is on duty. We recommend calling first at 216 433 1239 as the jailer may not be available. This service may be provided at other times if we can accommodate you, but you must call first. Proof of residency is required.

Programs

Drug Abuse Resistance Education

The City of Brook Park has had the D.A.R.E. program in place for over ten years. It is currently run by Officer Tom Dickel. D.A.R.E. is a collaborative effort by D.A.R.E. certified law enforcement officers, educators, students, parents and community leaders to offer an educational program in the classroom to prevent or reduce drug abuse, violence and gang involvement along children and youth, Grades K-6. It is a preventative program designed to equip students with the skills to recognize and resist pressures to experiment with and use harmful drugs. Please contact our D.A.R.E. Officer Tom at 216-433-1239 Ext. 339 or by email at tdickel@cityofbrookpark.com.

John J. Walsh Safety Town

The 2010 Safety Town Program will have two sessions:
Session 1: June 21st – June 25th
Session 2: July 19th – July 23^rd.

The program is for Brook Park children, 5 years of age, who will be starting kindergarten in the fall. This one week program teaches the students basic traffic safety, stranger safety, fire safety and school bus safety. The program is taught by Middle School students under the general direction of Ptl. Tom Dickel of the Brook Park Police Department. Sign-ups for the program will begin in May and run through July. There are two sessions each day and they run 2 ˝ hours in length. The classes begin at 8:30 AM and 12 PM. Information packets and registration forms will be available at City Hall, the Recreation Center and the Police Station beginning in May.