Police Frequently Asked Questions

Our non-emergency number is (561) 822-1900.

For minor incidents that are not emergencies, users should contact the non-emergency number: (561) 822-1900.

The online reporting tool is temporarily suspended. For minor incidents that are not emergencies, users should contact the non-emergency number: (561) 822-1900

The City of West Palm Beach maintains one Police Station. It is located at:

West Palm Beach Police Department

600 Banyan Blvd.

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

For additional information, about our lobby access policy and social media links, please this link.

You may contact our Records Division by clicking here. Our records staff can be reached at (561) 822-1880, or emailed at policeprr@wpb.org.

Please contact us at (561) 822-1730 for details and hours.

Refer to the traffic citation provided by the officer. Traffic tickets issued by officers and provide very detailed information on them. If you are attempting to pay a parking violation, click here to visit our Parking and Mobility page.

Minors (anyone under 18) are prohibited from being in any public place or establishment in the downtown area from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Saturday.

Who Can Be Cited

1. The minor themselves, for entering or remaining in a public place during restricted hours.

2. Parents or guardians, if they knowingly permit or fail to prevent the minor from being out during curfew hours.

3. Establishment owners/operators, if they knowingly allow a minor on their premises during restricted hours.

Exceptions — A minor is not in violation if they are:

1. Accompanied by a parent, guardian, or supervising adult (at least 21 years old).

2. Responding to an emergency.

3. On an errand authorized by a parent or guardian, traveling by direct route.

4. On the sidewalk directly in front of their own or a next-door neighbor's residence (with consent).

5. Married or has had disabilities of minority removed under state law.

Penalties

• 1st violation: Written warning.

• 2nd violation: Civil fine of $50.00 plus court costs.

• Subsequent violations: Fine up to $500.00 plus court costs per violation.

• Violators may perform community service in lieu of fines.

• Parents may attend a parenting skills class instead of paying a fine for a first offense.

• After 3 or more violations by a minor, the police chief may request a state agency investigation of the minor's home.

Under the City of West Palm Beach's Code of Ordinances (Chapter 58 – Parks and Recreational Facilities), the following regulations apply to fireworks:

General Prohibition No person shall bring, possess, set off, explode, discharge, or burn any firecrackers, torpedo rockets, or other fireworks or explosives of inflammable material in parks, recreational areas, or public places. This prohibition also covers any substance or compound that would be dangerous in conjunction with another substance.

Special Permits Special permits for fireworks displays may be issued by the Director of Parks and Recreation, subject to:

1. Adequate supervision of the display.

2. Approval from the Fire Rescue Department of the City.

Permit Compliance Any person holding a permit must produce and exhibit it upon request by any authorized person enforcing compliance with city ordinances or rules.

Enforcement

• Violations may be enforced under City Code Section 1-13, Chapter 26 (Code Enforcement), and applicable Florida Statutes.

• The Director of Parks and Recreation, park attendants, or any law enforcement officer may eject any person violating these regulations from a park or public property.

For safety reminders around holidays, the West Palm Beach Police Department also encourages residents to attend sanctioned public events like "4th on Flagler" rather than using personal fireworks.

For an active incident the user should contact the non-emergency line, or 911 if Is a true emergency.

If the incident is not active or ongoing, you may file contact our Anonymous Narcotic Tip Line at (561) 822-1701.

Also, if you have information about a crime, you may remain anonymous by contacting Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers 1-800-458-TIPS (8477). 

If you are reporting a Code Enforcement violation, this cannot be reported anonymously.  Under Florida Statute 162.21, you must provide your name and address when reporting a code violation. This information becomes subject to public records laws. The only exception is when a violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare.

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The West Palm Beach Police Department provides a “House Watch” program to alert your neighborhood’s police officers when you’re not home. The program is not only for winter residents or vacationers, it can be used whenever you're away from home. Officers will check your house periodically to make sure everything is secure. To learn more and register for the service, please call (561)-822-1634.

The West Palm Beach Police Department provides a “House Watch” program to alert your neighborhood’s police officers when you’re not home. The program is not only for winter residents or vacationers, it can be used whenever you're away from home. Officers will check your house periodically to make sure everything is secure. To learn more and register for the service, please call (561)-822-1634.

You can check arrest information in the City of West Palm Beach through the following options:

1. Request an Arrest Report You can request an arrest report through the West Palm Beach Police Department's Online Public Records Center. Anyone can request these public records.

2. Information You'll Need Having the following details will help locate the record faster:

• Date of the incident

• Case number (if known)

• Name of the person involved

• Location of the incident

3. Contact the Records Division

• Phone: (561) 822-1880

• Email: policeprr@wpb.org

• Walk-in Location: West Palm Beach City Hall, 401 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (First Floor, City Cashiers Office)

4. Records Division Hours

• Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Please Note: The WPBPD only holds records for incidents that occurred within the City of West Palm Beach. You may also check with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Arrest & Jail inmate search or contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Records Department.

Our Chief of Police is Chief Antonio "Tony" Araujo. You may view our command staff here. 

You can reach the West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo's office at (561) 822-1900.

For general police department inquiries, you can also contact the City Hotline at (561) 822-2222.

The West Palm Beach Police Department's Records Division maintains official documentation, but specific crime statistics publications aren't detailed in the available information.

Here's what you can do to access crime-related information:

1. Contact the Records Division directly:

   • Phone: (561) 822-1880

   • Email: policeprr@wpb.org

   • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed weekends)

2. Submit a Public Records Request online through the City of West Palm Beach's Online Public Records Center

3. Visit in person: West Palm Beach City Hall 401 Clematis Street, First Floor, City Cashiers Office West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Yes, you may text 9-1-1 in the City of West Palm Beach. The guiding slogan is "Call if you can, Text if you can't" — texting should be used when you are in a situation where you cannot speak but can safely text.

Medications are classified as hazardous waste and must not be disposed of with regular garbage or flushed down the toilet.

Flushing medications is harmful — wastewater treatment facilities are not designed to treat them, and they can pass through and harm plants or fish.

How to dispose of medications safely:

• Contact the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) — some medications are accepted at their facilities.

• Call SWA at (561) 640-4000 for more information and clarification on what they accept.

• You can also visit their website at www.swa.org.

Here's how to register an alarm system in the City of West Palm Beach:

Registration Requirements

• Every alarm system (residential and non-residential) must be registered with the City.

• The registration fee is $25.00, valid for 12 months (October 1 through September 30).

• New or replacement alarm systems must be registered within 30 days of installation.

How to Submit Your Application

• Complete the Alarm Registration Application (available at the Police Department).

• Submit your payment for new accounts to:

  West Palm Beach Police Department – Alarm Services 600 Banyan Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Accepted Payment Methods

• Cash (in person only)

• Check (payable to City of West Palm Beach)

• Money Order (payable to City of West Palm Beach)

Important Notes

• Permits are non-transferable. If ownership or tenancy changes, the new user has 30 days to re-register and pay the $25.00 fee.

• If any registration information changes, notify the City in writing within 30 days.

• Failure to pay the permit fee before a police response results in a $50.00 penalty per false burglar alarm response.

For questions, visit our Alarm Permit & Ordinance Information page, or contact Alarm Services at (561) 822-1940. You may also email us at  alarmservices@wpb.org .