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1. What is your address?

We are located at the intersection of S Depeyster Street and Haymaker Parkway, directly across the street from the Kent Fire Department. Parking is off of S Depeyster Street in our own lot. Follow the walkway under the flagpoles to the public entrance, which will be the door to your right.
Kent Police Department
301 S Depeyster Street
Kent, OH 44240

2. What are your hours?

• The Police Department is open 24 hours a day.
• Records are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Evidence may be released by prior arrangement. Please call 330-673-7732 to schedule a date and time.

3. How can I pay a parking ticket?

Pay parking tickets in person, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, at:
Budget and Finance
930 Overholt Road
Kent, OH 44240

After hours, there is a drop box near the entrance of Budget and Finance where payments may be made or tickets may be paid in person at the police department. Make checks payable to "City of Kent."

4. Can I pay for my parking ticket with a credit or debit card?

Yes. See the Paying a Parking Ticket page for more information.

5. How can I get a copy of my accident or case report?

Accident reports may be obtained in person or by mail.

• In-Person: Come to the police department between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m, Monday through Friday.
• Online: Accident reports are available on line - see Accident Reports page.
• By Mail: Mail your request to the police department. Include a note providing the Report Number (CR) or the name of one of the parties involved. Including the date and location of the accident would be helpful. Enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope.

6. Is there a charge for a copy of a report?

There is no charge for copies up to 19 pages. After 19 pages, it is $0.05 per page, including the first 19.

7. Where can I dispose of old drugs?

There is a box in the parking lot of the Police Department where the drugs can be dropped off. It is a large grey box, similar to a postal mail box. It is located next to the dumpster area.

Drugs can be dropped off any time. Please remove the label from the bottle. No needles please.

8. What time is curfew?

Curfew applies to anyone under the age of 18.

• On Sunday through Thursday, curfew hours are from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. of the following day.
• On Friday and Saturday, curfew hours are from 12:01 a.m. until 6 a.m.

9. What do the sirens mean?

The City of Kent has emergency sirens that are set off during emergency situations. Most often, they are set off when bad weather approaches or other hazardous conditions exist. For further guidance, see the following Swift911 information:

• The sirens are tested twice a month, the first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m, and the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The sirens run for three minutes.
• When an actual emergency occurs, the sirens will run for nine minutes.
  • A Tornado Watch means conditions are right for a tornado to occur.
  • A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted.

10. What time does the loud noise ordinance start?

Between the hours of 9 p.m. until 8 a.m. of the following day, an officer may issue a citation if the noise can be heard beyond the property line. You may call about loud noise at any time outside this time frame, however you may be required to sign as a witness to the violation. (Kent City Ordinance 509.12)

11. Where can I get a child's car seat inspected?

The Kent Police Department does not inspect child car seats, but there are several nearby agencies that do. That information can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website.

12. What is Swift911™?

Swift911™ is a computerized high speed notification system that uses telephone, email, text or pager to notify you of an emergency situation such as a severe storm, waterline break, evacuation need or some other dangerous condition.

13. Do I need to file for eviction if I have someone in my house staying rent free?

The Kent Police Department does not handle evictions. The Portage County Sheriff's Office does. Please contact the Sheriff's Office at 330-296-5100 for further information.

If an individual is staying on the premises without a written lease and rent free, that individual does not qualify as a tenant under Ohio law and therefore does not need to be given notice or an eviction order to be removed from the premises.

Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law

Under Ohio landlord-tenant law, a tenant is afforded the right to remain on the premises until and unless a lawful eviction order is filed against the tenant pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 1923, 5303 and 5321. The right however, may only be claimed if the person seeking its protection qualifies as a tenant. If the person and the homeowner do not have a written lease agreement or an arrangement for the regular payment of rent, such person does not qualify as a tenant and therefore may be removed from the premises by the owner at any time without notice or filing for an eviction order. Police may aid the homeowner in removing the unwanted guest without any civil liability so long as police reasonably believed the person being removed was a house guest, and not a tenant, at the time such removal took place.

Information provided by the City of Kent Law Director.

14. Whom should I contact to report a compliment or complaint about an officer's performance?

Accountability is an important aspect underlying everything we do at the Kent Police Department. In fact, it is the top value listed in our Values Statement. Likewise, it is one of the Department's major goals: "To continuously evaluate and enhance our performance to better serve the community." 

Feedback, both positive and negative, from the community is a critical piece in achieving that goal. It is direct information about what our community members think we're doing well, and where we need to improve. In either case, the best way to go about it is to call the 24/7 non-emergency phone number 330-673-7732, and ask to speak to the officer's shift supervisor. While speaking directly with a supervisor is the most effective route, for your convenience feedback can also be sent via email, where it will then be directed to the appropriate supervisor. When emailing feedback, please include as much detail as possible, and indicate whether or not you'd like to be contacted by the officer's supervisor.

15. What do I need to do if my vehicle is towed?

Pick up a Towed Vehicle Release Form from the Police Station.  A towed vehicle will only be released to the registered owner. A release form will not be given to an intoxicated person. While the release form may be picked up at any time, the tow companies charge extra to release a vehicle after regular business hours. 

Show All Answers

1. How do I request a fire inspection?

Fire Inspections are completed by the Fire Prevention Bureau, which is staffed by Lieutenant Jeff Tyler. Please see the Fire Department page for contact information and hours.

2. Who do I call about ambulance billing?

The Kent Fire Department contracts with a third party ambulance billing agency for all of our EMS billing. For questions or concerns regarding your bill please call: Life Force Management at 330.626.5450 or 1.800.770.4767

3. What are the regulations on recreational fires?

 Recreational fires must adhere to our regulations. View the Recreational Fire Regulations PDF and Franklin Township Recreational Fire Regulations PDF.

4. Does EMS offer CPR classes?

Kent EMS does not currently offer CPR classes. See the Kent State University website for scheduled CPR classes.  

5. Where should I put smoke detectors in my home?

It is recommended to place smoke detectors on every level of the home and in all rooms used for sleeping.  

Show All Answers

1. What is Swift 911™?

Swift 911™ is a computerized telephone calling system that can be used to notify you of an emergency situation such as a severe storm, water line break, evacuation need or some other dangerous condition.

2. How does Swift 911™ work?

Each resident and business within the Kent or Franklin Township (or a more narrowly defined area) can receive a message via telephone, cell phone, text, email or TDD/TTY phone with an emergency alert. The size of area covered will depend on the nature of the emergency.

3. Who activates the system?

Normally, the City of Kent Emergency Dispatch Center can activate or send an alert, or other trained city staff if the need is appropriate to their responsibilities.

4. I have an unlisted phone number. Will I be listed in the data base?

To be sure you are listed, sign up for Swift 911 alerts by providing your contact information by mail or by visiting our Swift911™ page and registering online.

5. How can I get a text message?

See our Swift911™ page and register online. You may also supply information by mailing it to us.

6. I'd rather not be listed - how can I take my name off of the system?

Simply provide your information by navigating to our Swift911™ page.

Click on the Swift 911 link at the bottom right and select the "Remove" button. You may also put your request in writing to:
City Manager's Office
301 S Depeyster Street
Kent, OH 44240