Cottage Grove, WI

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Crime Prevention - Wisconsin Crime Alerts Network

1. What is it?: The Wisconsin Crime Alerts Network is another tool Law Enforcement can use to notify the public and businesses about crime and trends. Minnesota currently has the program and has been using it successfully for 16 years. It is estimated Minnesota solves an average of 1 crime a day using the system. The WI system is new and was rolled out in October. Businesses and individuals pay $12 per year to be part of the system and there is no cost to tax payers.

2. What is it used for?: The WI Crime Alerts Network links Law Enforcement with citizens and business in specified area (County, Region or Statewide) to utilize the public’s assistance in locating fugitives, missing and endangered adults and for crime prevention. One example of its use is the hotel clerk who recognized a Wisconsin father wanted for kidnapping his 4 children when the suspect attempted to check into a hotel in Minnesota. The suspect intended on killing the children but was arrested before he could. Another example was the pharmacist who recognizes a suspect who is wanted for prescription fraud.

3. What it is not used for?: The Wisconsin Crime Alerts Network is not used for:
- Amber Alerts
- Individual/single thefts
- Run-away (unless extenuating circumstances)

4. Who benefits?: Law Enforcement and the community benefit from the Wisconsin Crime Alerts Network. The Cottage Grove Police Department encourages you to take the time to learn about the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network and how Wisconsin and you can benefit from this new law enforcement tool.

1. What should I do if a police officer pulls me over?: Remain as calm as possible and pull over to the side of the road as quickly and safely as you can. Roll down your window, but stay inside the car - don’t get out unless the officer directs you to do so. Don’t take any actions that can be mistaken for a dangerous move. For example, don’t reach for a purse or backpack or open the glove box unless you’ve asked the officer’s permission, even if you are just looking for your license and registration card. The officer may think you’re reaching for a weapon. You can help us by turning on an interior light at night, this helps officers see inside your car.

2. I do not feel that the citation I received was valid. What can I do?: Do not become argumentative, disorderly or abusive. If an officer has already written a ticket, it cannot be voided at that time. If you believe that you have been unfairly cited, do not make this argument on the side of the road. Your best alternative is to carry your protest to court. The court date and time is listed on the upper left portion of the citation.

3. Can I get my fingerprints taken at the Cottage Grove Police Department?: The Cottage Grove Police Department currently does not offer this service. The City of Madison Police Department offers this service on select days and times for a fee, contact them at 608-266-4906 for more information.

4. How can I get a copy of my driving record?: The Cottage Grove Police Department will not provide you with a copy of your driving record or advise you what your driving record reveals. You may obtain a copy from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WI DOT). For more information, please go to the WI DOT website.

5. How can I get a copy of my criminal history?: The Cottage Grove Police Department will provide you with a police contact history for our agency; this is not a criminal history. You may obtain a copy of your Wisconsin Criminal History online.

6. Do you offer citizen ride-along or department tours?: Interested citizens are welcome to ride along with an officer during part of a shift to see what we do during our day. Contact the department during business hours or an on-duty officer to make arrangements for this interesting experience. Tours of our facility and squad cars can be arranged through our business office. We look forward to having you join us during a shift or visit with us at our facility.

7. How many consecutive hours may a car be parked on a street without being moved?: A vehicle parked on a village street needs to be moved every 24 hours.

8. Will the Cottage Grove Police Department tow an abandoned vehicle off of private property?: The Cottage Grove Police Department will not tow vehicles from private property. The property owner needs to make arrangements; however if deemed necessary, the Cottage Grove Police Department will ticket vehicles on private property.

9. What are the curfew hours for Cottage Grove?: A. No child under the age of 18 years shall loiter, idle or remain upon any street, alley, or other public place in the Village between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. the next day, except Friday and Saturday when the hours shall be 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless such child is accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or other adult person having legal custody of such child.
[Amended 4-1-1985]
B. Exceptions.
(1) This chapter shall not apply to a child:
(a) Performing an errand as directed by parents, guardian or person having lawful custody.
(b) Who is on his or her own premises or the areas immediately adjacent thereto.
(c) Whose employment makes it necessary to be on the streets, alleys, public places or any motor vehicle after such hour.
(d) Returning home from a supervised school, church, or civic function.
(2) These exceptions, however, shall not permit a child to unnecessarily loiter about the streets, alleys, or public places or be in a parked motor vehicle on the public street.

10. Do you have lost and found property?: Over the course of time the department acquires various items of property that are turned over to us or found by officers. These items are maintained at the department and efforts to locate the owners are made through available serial numbers, identifying information or other descriptions. After a period of time, these items are disposed of if no owner is located or comes forward. If you have lost an item, please contact the department to see if we may have it.

11. Do you offer an auction of unclaimed property?: We auction items after they are statutorily deemed abandoned. This auction would be done in conjunction with other Village departments and would be announced on the Village of Cottage Grove website.

12. How can I get road condition/travel/traffic information?: Motorists can now get up to the minute travel information by either dialing 511 or going to a website now offered by WI DOT which provides travelers with traffic and road information of Wisconsin’s main highways, including the Interstate system. We may also occasionally post information on our Facebook page.