City of Goodyear
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Expand/Contract Questions and Answers
- Cleaning out the medicine cabinet just got safer with the installation of a secure drop box for your expired, unused or unwanted prescription medicines at the Goodyear Police Administrative Building, located at 175 N. 145th Avenue.
Throwing prescription drugs in the trash or down the sink represents a hazard to the community. If not properly handled, the drugs can be abused by teens or adults, or they can pollute the environment. - Fingerprint services are offered on Tuesdays (excluding holidays) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The charge for fingerprint services is $17.00.
- If you are going to be away from your home, you may complete and submit a Vacation Watch form. We will make note of who may have access to your home and the dates you will be away.
- You can contact Maricopa County Animal Care and Control at 602-506-7387 if you find a stray animal that needs to be picked up. If the animal is aggressive or dangerous, call the Police Department at 623-932-1220.
- Certain police and fire personnel have received special training to become Certified Car Safety Seat Technicians. These technicians will be happy to inspect and install your child safety seat at no cost to you. New car seats are sometimes available through a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
To schedule an appointment, please call the Fire Department's Community Services at 623-536-7531. Appointments are available Saturdays only.
My child is under the age of 16. Does he/she need to wear a seatbelt if sitting in the rear of the vehicle?
Yes. A new law took effect August 22, 2002 that requires passengers 16 years of age and under in motor vehicles to have a lap and shoulder belt properly adjusted and fastened while the vehicle is in motion. If only a lap belt is installed where the passenger is sitting, then it must be fastened and properly adjusted.
My child is 4 years old, but weighs 43 pounds, does this mean he/she does not need a child restraint?
No. The old law, which confused many people, was revised. Any child under the age of 5 years must be in a child restraint. Please remember to have your children buckled up and AWAY from the airbags in your vehicle.
- No. These are both criminal offenses that subject the offender to arrest.
I had an accident in a parking lot, but the officer said he could not give the other driver who hit my car a ticket…why?
If a vehicle collision occurs on private property, then a state accident does not apply. Officers cannot issue civil traffic tickets for instances that occur on private property.
I saw a vehicle with no markings indicating that it was a police vehicle. Do I have to stop if this vehicle attempts to pull me over?
Yes. There are legitimate police vehicles that do not have any external markings. Unfortunately, there are also people who impersonate police officers.
The policy of the Goodyear Police Department is that if an officer in an unmarked vehicle is going to make a traffic stop, he/she shall be in uniform.
If you are in doubt about the vehicle with flashing red and blue emergency lights that is attempting to stop you, there are several things you can do:
If in an isolated area, continue to a public place that is well lighted. While doing this, obey all traffic laws and do not speed up to get there.
If you have a cellular phone, and can use it safely, call the police and let them know that an unmarked vehicle is attempting to stop you.
- If you receive a traffic ticket, and the 'civil' box is checked, you can use the envelope the officer gave you to plead responsible or not responsible. You may also appear in the court indicated at the specified date and time. Another option is attending traffic school; information about traffic school is included on the envelope.
If the "criminal" box is checked you must appear in court as indicated.
If you have any questions about your court date or citation, you may call the court at 623-882-7200.
- The Goodyear Police Department does not use photo radar. When the police department receives complaints of vehicles speeding in a certain area we may place the Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer (SMART) there to educate motorists of their actual speed. We collect data to show the times when enforcement may be necessary.
- Some of the RADAR units in use will not allow the officer to "lock in" the recorded speed. If this is done on these units the officer can no longer maintain the "tracking history" of the speed he/she is monitoring.
If the speed is "locked in" there may be a safety consideration of the officer such as not allowing a person to exit their vehicle and walking to the patrol car.
Some people have asked for a printout of their speed. Our RADAR units do not print anything out that the officer can provide to you.
I received a ticket for speeding, but when I looked at my speedometer the speed was slower than the officer said I was going.
Officers typically see your vehicle before you see them. A normal response when someone sees a police vehicle is to remove their foot from the gas pedal, and many times they place it on the brake. People often look at the speedometer after slowing, and that is the speed they remember. The Goodyear Police Department uses the latest technology available including RADAR and LIDAR to verify a vehicle's speed.- We are proud that Goodyear has some of the lowest crime rates in the West Valley. For complete statistics and specific information contact Police Support Services at 623-932-1220.
The Goodyear Police Department offers a wide variety of programs designed to educate and inform citizens and youth on topics such as crime prevention, drug intervention, and gang resistance. To speak to an officer about the details of these programs, please ask for a member of our Community Services Unit at 623-932-1220, or send an email.
Applications will be accepted only during posted recruitment periods. Applicants will need to submit an application through the City of Goodyear's website, our application is an on-line web based application. Please continue to check the city's website for updates regarding testing. For more information regarding the AZPOST Certification, visit http://www.azpost.state.az.us/.