Bureau of Field Services

The Alameda Police Department Traffic Section strives to keep our community’s roadways safe for all motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The Traffic Section provides daily traffic enforcement of the roadways within the City of Alameda and is responsible for investigating all serious injury and fatal collisions.

Traffic Section Team

The Traffic Section consists of one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, five Collision Investigators, three Motor Officers, five Parking Technicians, and one Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Technician.

Towed Vehicle Information

Police Officers and Parking Technicians routinely tow vehicles for a number of different reasons. Vehicles may be towed for the following:

• The driver has either no drivers license or a suspended drivers license
• A vehicle sustains major damage as a result of a collision
• The vehicle is blocking a driveway
• A vehicle is a hazard in a roadway Registration on the vehicle is expired over six months
• The vehicle has more than five unpaid parking citations
• A vehicle is left parked in the roadway during restricted times

The Department contracts with S & F Towing. If you are the owner of a vehicle towed by S & F Towing and you wish to claim it please visit our Towed Vehicles page.

Retrieve a Towed Vehicle

Free Car Seat Inspections and Installations

The Alameda Police Department is committed to the safety of our children. Children involved in motor vehicle collisions run a great risk of death or serious injury. A properly installed child safety seat can greatly reduce these factors. California law states each child MUST be properly restrained in a child safety seat, booster seat, or other restraint systems in the back seat, until the child is 8 years old OR at least 4'9" in height.

We offer free child safety seat inspections and installations conducted by our Car Seat Inspections Specialist, Bob Rollins. Weekday inspections/installations are by appointment only, please contact Bob Rollins, 510-337-8590, to schedule an appointment. Weekend inspections/installation are also available at select times during the year without an appointment.

 

Effective May 23, 2022, the City of Alameda parking enforcement is managed by Alameda's Public Works Department.  

The Alameda Police Department's two parking technicians are responsible for addressing parking violations that require towing. All other parking violations that do not require towing - street sweeping, timed parking, metered parking, red zone violations, etc. - are the responsibility of the Public Works Department. 

Parking Enforcement  Program

 

Reasons to mark a vehicle abandoned

A vehicle can be marked abandoned for two reasons: The Alameda Police Department receives a call reporting the vehicle as abandoned or stored on the street longer than 72 hours, or if an Officer observes the vehicle as such.

Officers look for the following criteria when marking a vehicle: cobwebs, leaves, debris around the tires, debris on the vehicle, dirt, low tires, and missing and/or broken vehicle parts. Even if a vehicle is parked in front of the owner’s residence, registered and insured, the vehicle can still be considered abandoned or stored if it’s been parked in excess of 72 hours without being driven.

The Alameda Police Department will place an orange courtesy notice on the vehicle that explains the Alameda Municipal Code section. In most cases, the owner will be given 72 hours to either remove the vehicle from the street or drive it a minimum of one mile. The marking officer will return no sooner than 3 days to determine if the owner has complied.

If at the time, the vehicle has not been driven or moved, it will be towed and cited. The vehicle cannot be moved a few feet or across the street just to avoid the tow. The vehicle must be completely removed or actually driven for the officer to determine that it’s not just being stored on the street. The odometer will be checked and tires marked for proof of compliance.

Release of a towed vehicle

 If you would like to claim a towed or impounded vehicle, please click below.

Towed/Impounded Vehicles

Reporting an abandoned vehicle

If you would like to report an abandoned or stored vehicle on a public street with the qualifying criteria of cobwebs, leaves, debris around the tires, debris on the vehicle, dirt, low tires, and/or missing and/or broken vehicle parts or if the vehicle has failed to move for more than 72 hours you may call the non-emergency number at (510) 337-8340.

 

The Critical Incident Response Team (C.I.R.T.) is responsible for providing a rapid response of specialized personnel and equipment to incidents of a critical nature. The C.I.R.T. team is comprised of two separate elements, Negotiations and Tactical, and work in unison to respond to critical incidents while protecting the life and property of the citizens of Alameda.

Critical incidents include, but are not limited to:

• High-risk arrests
• Hostage incidents
• Barricaded subjects
• Rescue incidents in areas endangered by gunfire
• Assisting and protecting police and/or fire units engaged with mobs, looters, and arsonists 

The Alameda Police Department K9 Program was established in 1980 and due to its success it was permanently implemented into the Patrol Division. Currently, the Department has two K9 teams, Officer Brandon Hansen and his Police Service Dog (PSD) "Blu" and Officer Armando Zaragoza and his PSD "Dexter". The K9 Supervisor is Sgt. Darin Tsujimoto.

Canine Duties

K-9 teams are certified for dual purpose work, which includes patrol tactics and narcotic detection. Patrol tactics consist of area searches, building searches, tracking, article searches, handler protection, and physical apprehension. Narcotic detection includes searching for illegal drugs. Police K9's are not pets and should only be approached while the handler is present and supervising any interaction with the PSD.

Canine Training 

Before the PSD and officer can begin their patrol assignments, they must go through a rigorous canine handler course and pass a certification process. This ensures they meet the requirements set forth by the California P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training). After the team is certified, they will then complete weekly training sessions and annual certifications to ensure the team maintains their skills. 

Canine Teams

Officer Hansen and PSD Blu, a German Shepherd from Bavaria in Germany, were partnered in Spring of 2019.   After a bonding and orientation period, the two entered their canine handler course.  They completed the course in June of 2019 and were assigned to swing shift patrol.  Both are dedicated to service and they are looking forward to many years of working together.     

Officer Zaragoza and PSD Dexter, a German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois from Hungary, are the newest members of the Alameda Police K9 Unit and hit the streets together on October 2nd, 2016. They have established a tight bond and have been a great asset to the community.

The Marine Patrol Unit is responsible for the enforcement of local and state laws pertaining to boating, search and rescue operations, vessel inspections as well as the supervision of various water events that take place in and around the city.

In addition to their normal patrol duties, nine officers and one sergeant have undergone extensive state-mandated training and also enjoy a close working relationship with the Coast Guard. As a result of their training, the officers are capable of providing the best service possible when it comes to law enforcement. The police boat patrols the surrounding Alameda waterways during special events, holidays, and when staffing permits. The unit is overseen by Sgt. Josh Crossley.

Boating Laws

Section 655.2(a)(2) of the Harbor and Navigations Code states NO vessel shall travel more than 5 mph when within 200 feet of any floating dock or marina. Additionally, within NO WAKE zones, your boat must operate off plane and completely settled in the water, operating at the minimum speed necessary to maintain steering and headway.

Skippers who operate their vessels negligently are financially and legally liable for any damage or injury caused by their vessel's wake. All Harbor and Navigation Code violations related to reckless or negligent vessel operation are strictly enforced.  

Marine Safety TIps

• File a float plan with a friend or relative
• Make sure your vessel is in top operating condition and that there are no tripping hazards. The boat should be free of fire hazards and have clean bilges.
• Safety equipment is required by law on board and must be maintained in good condition. Know how to use these devices.
• Know your position and where you are going.
• Maintain a safe speed at all times to avoid a collision.
• Know and practice Navigational, Federal and State rules, especially waterway markers.
• Maintain a clear and unobstructed view forward at all times, scan the water back and forth to avoid tunnel vision.

An operator involved in an accident shall:

• Give assistance to the other person involved.
• Give their name, address and identification of their boat in writing to any person injured or to the owner of any property damaged in the accident.
• When a person dies or disappears from a vessel, the operator shall by the quickest means available notify the Department of Boating and waterways and the nearest enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the water body.

Important Links
United States Coast Guard
California Department of Boating and Waterways
Boating Safety

Police Officers assigned to the Alameda Housing Authority (AHA) provide a full range of police services to the citizens residing in AHA-owned properties. The Officers attend weekly meetings with the AHA executive director, the housing program manager, the program services coordinator, and the housing manager. Topics for these meetings include the Alameda Housing Authority Police Officer's activities and problem areas on and around AHA properties.

The Alameda Police Department, in partnership with the Alameda Housing Authority and its residents, work to identify and resolve problems on Alameda Housing Authority properties. Community policing and other available resources are used to improve the quality of life for all AHA residents.

The Alameda Housing Authority Officers are also tasked with being the department's Homeless Liaison Officer (HLO).  The HLOs are responsible for working with the community, social services, and other government agencies to provide resources to the homeless in Alameda.