The Oberlin Police Department’s participates in a multitude of community policing policies

The Oberlin Police Department offers Safety Town each summer for children entering Kindergarten during the upcoming school year.  Safety Town teaches children basic safety practices for both home and school, including traffic safety, fire safety, school bus safety, poison control and more. 

Safety Town is free for all participants and is taught by Patrol Officer Billie Neadham and Police Dispatcher Gwen Goul, with assistance from Oberlin Police Explorers.  There are typically two sessions offered per year, one during the second week of June and another during the third week of June.

Applications become available during the month of May.

For more information, contact Patrol Officer Billie Neadham at 440-774-1061 or BNeadham@oberlinpd.com.

The Oberlin Police Department Explorer Post #2478 has been in existence since 1978 and offers young men and women hands-on experience for a career in law enforcement.  OPD Explorers are trained in law enforcement practices by uniformed officers and other OPD personnel, and have the opportunity to assist the Police Department with traffic and crowd control details for City events.  Explorers also participate in local and state competitions, with other Law Enforcement Exploring Posts from around Ohio.

The Oberlin Police Department Explorer program is open to males and females, ages 14-20 with an interest in a career in law enforcement.  For more information, contact Patrol Officer Billie Neadham at 440-774-1061 or BNeadham@oberlinpd.com.

In an effort to better protect the citizens of Lorain County, the Oberlin Police Department is participating in the county-wide Transaction Safe Zone Program.  Members of the public are welcome to meet at the Oberlin Police Department to show, inspect or purchase property that is for sale through e-commerce sites likes Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc. and/or to close their online transactions in a safer way.  Click HERE for more information.

The Oberlin Police Department is pleased to offer Oberlin residents peace of mind while away on vacation or while property is vacant for an extended period of time through its Vacation/Vacant House Watch Program.  When residents sign up for the program, OPD personnel will conduct routine checks of their property to ensure that their home is safe and secure and will notify the resident of any issues.

Use this form to submit a request for Vacation/Vacant House Watch or contact the Oberlin Police Department for assistance: 440-774-1061 or Police@OberlinPD.com.

The Oberlin Police Department is a participating agency in Project Lifesaver, a national public safety program that is designed to protect and locate individuals with cognitive conditions who are prone to wandering, like those with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, autism, etc.  Those enrolled in Project Lifesaver are provided a small transmitter to wear on the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized frequency signal.  If an enrolled individual goes missing, the caregiver can notify the Oberlin Police Department and a trained emergency team will respond to the wanderer’s area. OPD can use the individual’s individualized frequency to locate their position.  Oberlin Patrol Officers have received training on how to best approach individuals with these cognitive conditions, which once found can more easily and safely allow them to be brought back home.

For more information and/or for assistance in enrolling a loved one in the program, please contact Sergeant Patrick Durica at 440-774-1061 or PDurica@OberlinPD.com.

You can also find general information on Project Lifesaver HERE.

The Checkmate Program offers elderly/infirmed residents and caregivers peace of mind by regularly checking in on residents enrolled in the program to make sure that they are safe and healthy.  OPD personnel provides brief home visits of residents enrolled in the program and will notify caregivers if there are any concerns with their loved ones.

National Night Out:

National Night Out is a nationwide event that takes place on the first Tuesday in August each year as a means to enhance police-community relationships and promote crime prevention in the community.  The Oberlin Police Department celebrates National Night Out with a community picnic with food and refreshments, entertainment, children’s activities and more!

Check back for more information on this year’s National Night Out celebration or contact the Oberlin Police Department at 440-774-1061 or Police@OberlinPD.com.

Shop with a Cop:

Each year, the Oberlin Police Department School Resources Officer works with the Oberlin Schools to identify deserving children to participate in the Shop with a Cop program.  These children are invited to go shopping with Oberlin Patrol Officers and OPD personnel for holiday gifts and then have a holiday celebration with refreshments and activities afterward.

For more information on this program, or if you are interested in donating to the program, please contact Patrol Officer Billie Neadham at 440-774-1061 or BNeadham@OberlinPD.com.

Bicycle Licenses:

It is highly recommended to obtain a license for your bicycle to assist in recovery of your bicycle should it be lost or stolen.  Bicycle licenses are offered free of charge at the Oberlin Police Department any time. 

To obtain a bicycle license, download the Bicycle Registration Form HERE and bring the completed form with you to the Oberlin Police Department, or you may obtain the form when you arrive at the department.  Or you can fill ONLINE HERE If you do not already have a completed form, please make sure to have the make, model, and serial number of your bicycle, along with a list of identifiable parts.

Bicycle Regulations:

• Anyone operating a bicycle on City streets must adhere to all traffic regulations
• Bicycle riding is not permitted on sidewalks in the business districts.
• Bicycles should be secured/locked to any of the bike racks provided throughout the City
• Bicycles shall not be parked on the street or on a bike rack in the Central Business District* for   longer than 24 hours
• It is prohibited to secure/lock a bicycle to trees, street lights, stop signs or other public property on City streets or sidewalks

Violations:

• Anyone who violates any of these provisions may be issued a $20 bicycle violation ticket
• If the person who is in violation is not present and cannot be located, the bicycle may be confiscated by the Oberlin Police Department and will not be released until proof of ownership has been established and the fine has been paid
• Confiscated bicycles that have not been returned to the owner after 90 days will be disposed of in accordance with the law

*Central Business District includes Main St. (between Vine St. & the crosswalk between Tappan Sq. & Hall Auditorium) and College St. (between Professor St. & Pleasant St.)

For more information, please contact the Oberlin Police Department at 440-774-1061 or Police@OberlinPD.com.

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to potential accidental poisoning, misuse or overdose.  Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

The Oberlin Police Department hosts Prescription Drug Take-Back Days each year in April and October.  These events provide the community with a means to safely and responsibly dispose of unused/unwanted/expired prescription medications.  Check back for information on the next Drug Take-Back Day.  For additional information on this national program, click HERE.

Community members may also drop off unused/unwanted/expired prescription medications at the self-serve drop-box located in the Oberlin Police Department lobby (85 S. Main Street).  The drop-box is available 24/7.

Questions? Contact the Oberlin Police Department at 440-774-1061 or Police@OberlinPD.com.

The Oberlin Police Department works with Oberlin College Campus Security to offer support and education to the campus community through the College Liaison Program.  Liaison Officers receive training through the National Association of Campus Safety Administrators on campus security authority, tactical communication, active shooter response, diversity, the Clery Act and FERPA.

Each school year, Liaison Officers attend dorm meetings, new student orientation, and other college meetings and events to offer information on department services and local ordinances, and to answer any questions.

For more information on the College Liaison Program, or to request a Liaison Officer at your meeting or event, please contact 440-774-1061.

Security Inspections/Checks:

Oberlin Police Department personnel offer security inspections at local businesses/non-profit organizations upon request to offer advice on ways to make your organization more secure.  Oberlin Patrol Officers also do periodic checks of businesses/non-profit organizations to ensure security of the property.  Contact the Police Department at 440-774-1061 or Police@OberlinPD.com to request a security inspection and/or to update your organization’s information, including after-hours contact information, security alarm status, etc. 

Workplace Training:

The Oberlin Police Department offers a range of educational presentations to local workplaces, with such topics as crime prevention, active threat training, K-9 presentations, security assessments, etc.  If you are interested in bringing any of these presentations to your workplace, or would like to discuss the development of an individualized presentation for your workplace, please contact Lieutenant Mike McCloskey at 440-774-1061 or MMcCloskey@OberlinPD.com.

The Oberlin Police Department offers a range of educational presentations to local schools, churches, businesses, non-profit organizations, neighborhood groups, etc. Past presentations have covered such topics as crime prevention, active threat training, K-9 presentations, security assessments, scam prevention for senior citizens, etc.  If you are interested in any of these presentations, or would like to discuss the development of an individualized presentation for your organization, please contact Lieutenant Mike McCloskey at 440-774-1061 or MMcCloskey@OberlinPD.com.

The Oberlin Police Department offers residents home security assessments upon request to offer advice on ways to make your home more secure and prevent crime in your neighborhood.  Please also refer to these tips on personal safety and suspicious activity:

• Personal Safety
• Suspicious Activity

For more information on the Crime Prevention Program, or to request a home security assessment, contact Patrol Officer Ray Feuerstein at 440-774-1061 or RFeuerstein@OberlinPD.com.