Wickliffe Police Phone Number: 440-943-1234
Emergency Number: 911

BLOCK WATCH MEETING
A block watch meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, at 6:00pm  at the Wickliffe Police Department.

NEW HEADLIGHT LAW TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2010
The Wickliffe Police Department is reminding all motorists of a law that took full effect on January 1, 2010. Under Ohio Revised Code 4513.03, all vehicles operating upon a street or highway must have headlights on while using windshield wipers. 

Regardless of the time of day, or of the weather conditions, if your wipers are on, your headlights, and taillights, must be on as well.  The emphasis here is safety.  Inclement weather (e.g., rain, snow, or fog)  normally prompts the use of windshield wipers.  By adding lighted lights to the equation, the goal is to make your vehicle more visible to other motorists. 

What about vehicles equipped with Daytime Running Lights (DRL)?  This might not be enough to comply for two reasons.  First, DRL’s typically run at a reduced illumination and may not be able to meet the state law requirement that headlights produce a beam sufficient to be seen from one thousand feet ahead.  Second, most DRL’s do not also illuminate the taillights, which are also required to be lighted by the new statute. To make certain that you are within the law, take that extra second to turn on your headlight switch after you engage your wipers.  

Like safety belt violations, this is a secondary traffic offense, which means vehicles cannot be stopped solely for a violation of this statute. A law enforcement officer must have observed some other moving violation or equipment violation before a driver can be issued a citation for the headlight violation.  This offense is a minor misdemeanor, which can carry up to a maximum $150.00 fine.   

INTERNET SAFETY GUIDELINES
The technology of computers and the Internet offer many benefits, as well as a darker side. Child predators use the Internet to find victims. Parents must be aware of what their children are doing on the computer to protect them from the dangers online. Click here for information on protecting your child from on-line threats. (.pdf format)

BOOSTER SEAT LAW ENACTED
On January 6, 2009, the State of Ohio signed a new child seatbelt law that took effect on April 6, 2009. An amendment to Ohio Revised Code 4511.093, 4511.81, and 4513.263 requires certain children who are between 4-8 years of age to be secured in a booster seat. It also states that a child who is less than eight years of age and less than four feet nine inches in height has to be secured in a booster seat. Violation of this booster seat provision is a secondary traffic offense. Click here for more information about the new booster seat law. (.pdf format)

Guidelines for Motorists Stopped by the Police
If you are one of the millions of motorists who drive the public roadways each day, chances are that you have been pulled over by a police officer, deputy sheriff, or trooper.  At a minimum, you have probably encountered a situation where you needed to yield the right-of-way to a public safety vehicle (fire truck, rescue squad, police car, ambulance, etc.).  Luckily, for the majority of motorists, these contacts are infrequent.  However, they can be awkward, unnerving, and uncomfortable.  Is there a right way to behave in such situations?  What should you do when you see those dreaded red and blue lights flashing behind you?  Click here for some suggestions from the Wickliffe Police Department on getting through a safe traffic stop or pullover and returning you safely back to your journey. (.pdf format)

SEXUAL OFFENDERS INFORMATION
Information regarding sexual offenders may be found on the Sheriff's link on the Lake County, Ohio website: www.lakecountyohio.org. From that page, viewers may be directed to the State of Ohio Attorney General's website for further details.

The Wickliffe Police Department 2008 Annual Report is available for viewing. (.pdf format)

The Wickliffe Police Department 2009 Annual Report is available for viewing. (.pdf format)