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1. How do I file an officer complaint?

Complaints can be filed in person, in writing, at the police station during business hours.

2. How do I get a copy of a police or accident report?

You may obtain a copy of an official police or accident report by stopping in our offices at 5690 Clyde Moore Dr., Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Requests may also be mailed, please include a self addressed stamped return envelope; be sure to include enough information in your request to allow us to locate the correct report. For large requests you may be asked to pay for the actual cost of producing such documents.

All requests for information are governed by the Ohio Public Records Law and some records may not be available.

3. Do you offer fingerprinting services?

As of November 1, 1995, the policy of the Groveport Police Department has been to extend fingerprinting services only to individuals who live in the village proper. We will continue to offer this service to our residents free of charge. You are to supply the blue fingerprint card.

If you do not live in the village proper, you are welcome to use the following services:

Franklin County Sheriff's Department Photo Lab
410 S High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-462-3191 (You must make an appointment.)
Open Monday - Friday until Noon
Fee: $5

Columbus Police Department ID Unit
120 Marconi Boulevard, 3rd Floor Records
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-645-4696 (Recorded Message)
Open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Fee: $5

4. What are some guidelines for kids' online safety?

1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents' work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents' permission.

2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.

3. I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along.

4. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.

5. I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the service provider.

6. I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online, and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.

7. I will not give out my Internet password to anyone (even my best friends) other than my parents.

8. I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

5. How can I avoid home improvement scams?

Groveport Chief of Police, Ralph J. Portier, with information from the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police,and the Ohio Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Section, offers these tips to help identify a less than reputable contractor.

The Contractor:

- Solicits door to door: Some reputable companies use door to door sales; but they have sales people or hire companies to do it for them. The contractor or his workers will not solicit business themselves. A reputable company will offer a contract for you to sign which will include a cancellation form. Under Ohio law you have three business days to cancel any contract from a door to door solicitation.

- Offers you a discount for finding other customers: A "referral sale" is illegal in Ohio, and you will probably not get the promised discount.

- Just happens to have left over materials from a previous job: This rarely turns out to be a bargain and is a favorite scam of groups who prey on the elderly with driveway sealing or home power washing schemes.

- Asks you to obtain required permits, or asks for payment up front: Reputable companies will only ask for a reasonable down payment. They will also insist on a contract and will offer a receipt for your payment.

- Suggests that you borrow from a lender the contractor knows: A favorite scam of some unscrupulous contractors is "slip-sheeting," a practice in which a contractor or lender slips in paper work such as a second mortgage or even a quit claim deed into the package.

- Uses high pressure sales tactics: Pressures you for an immediate decision, or uses scare tactics such as telling you your roof is going to collapse, or your furnace is going to explode. Be very wary if this is the case and contact a known company or local inspector for a second opinion.

- Does not have a listing in the local phone book: This and the appearance of the person and their trucks or equipment are two of the best clues to watch for. Reputable companies have employees or hire companies to do their solicitations; they do not send workers roaming the neighborhoods in unmarked or unkempt trucks looking for business.

The vast amount of home improvement scams that occur in this area involve roving groups who target specific areas preying on the elderly. If you have elderly friends or family, be sure to share this information with them, and let them know if any at any time they have any concerns with a solicitor they should close the door and call the police. A little awareness and education can go a long way in protecting our elderly from these predatory thieves. If you or someone you know needs home improvement work, check with people you know for referrals or check your local phone book. Be sure to ask plenty of questions of the contractor, and if you are not satisfied, move on to the next choice.

6. What are the regulations concerning portable basketball hoops?

While portable basketball hoops do provide a convenient form of entertainment for young people, they can violate the law when placed in streets or near the public right of way. Current law prohibits the playing of basket ball on a public street. Sections of the code also prohibit placing an item such as a hoop in the right of way of a public roadway. As such, the correct place to erect a portable hoop would be on private property only.

7. What are the regulations concerning scooters, go-peds, and electric bikes?

There is no Ohio law specific to the operation of these types of devices; however there has been some directives from the Ohio BMV as well as case law from the state of Florida that clarify the standing of these vehicles under existing laws and village ordinances. Under Groveport Codified Ordinances and the Ohio Revised Code, these devices are classified as a motor vehicle because they are a vehicle that is propelled by power other than muscular power and they do not fit under any of the exceptions found in the definition of a motor vehicle.

They cannot be considered a bicycle because they are not powered solely by human power. Although they are considered a motor vehicle, it is illegal to operate such a device upon a public street since they cannot be licensed and do not meet minimum vehicle equipment requirements. It is also illegal to operate these devices upon a sidewalk because the law states that "no person shall drive any vehicle, other than a bicycle upon a sidewalk."