Frequently Asked Questions

How can I learn more about becoming a City of Fairfield police officer?

The City's Human Resources Department teamed up with the Police Department to create a brochure entitled, "Your Career with the City of Fairfield Police Department." The brochure may be downloaded as a pdf file. The publication provides detailed information about the Police Department, its standards for consideration and employee benefits.

Also, feel free to contact the Human Resources Department at 513-867-5352 or via email at human_resources@fairfield-city.org with any questions you may have.

The Fairfield Police Department is authorized by law to remove:

• any vehicle left unattended upon any street for forty-eight hours;
  
• any vehicle that is illegally parked that constitutes a hazard or obstruction to the normal movement of traffic; or
  
• any vehicle that is left on private property for more than seventy-two consecutive hours without the property owner's permission.
• Abandoned junk motor vehicles from public or private property.

Owners of illegally parked or unattended vehicles are liable for citation and towing fees. For further information, contact our Community Relations Division at 513-896-8254.

If you have been issued a check for a transaction which took place in the City of Fairfield and the check has been returned to you because of insufficient or non-sufficient funds, or account closed, you may file a complaint to charge the person if the following procedures are followed:

If the check issued to you meets these requirements bring the check and the return receipt from the post office to the clerk's office in the Fairfield Municipal Court.

If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact the clerk of court at 513-867-6008.

Fairfield has a curfew for persons under 18 between 11 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. each day. During this time period, it is unlawful for persons under 18 to be out and about unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

A parent who permits a child to violate the curfew may also be charged under this law.

For further information, call the Community Relations Division at 513-896-8254.

There is no hunting or shooting permitted within the city limits of Fairfield. Hunters should obtain permission of the property owner and ensure they are outside the city limits before hunting.

Hunting and fishing licenses are required in Ohio and may be obtained from most sports stores or bait and tackle shops. For additional information, contacted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources or visit www.dnr.state.oh.us.

If you believe someone was arrested by the Fairfield Police, but do not know where he or she is, you may call the Fairfield Police Department at 513-829-8201.

An arrested person is normally taken to the police department for completion of the necessary paperwork, and then released or taken to the Butler County Jail. In some cases, the person may be released to another law enforcement agency.

The Fairfield Police Department is located in the Fairfield Justice Center, 5230 Pleasant Ave. in Fairfield. The phone number is 513-829-8201. The line is staffed 24 hours a day.

The Butler County Jail is located at 705 Hanover Street in Hamilton. The telephone phone number for prisoner information is 513-785-1106.

Missing or Runaway Juveniles

The Fairfield Police Department responds to every report of a missing or runaway juvenile in quick fashion. The department will conduct a complete, prompt and thorough search including notification of the news media and other police agencies where appropriate.

The police are required to follow certain procedures required by law. While a stressful time, your complete cooperation will help us immensely.

First, when you think you child is missing or has run away, call the police department right away. The sooner we get involved, the better our opportunity for a quick resolution.

Second, while waiting for the officers to respond, obtain a recent photograph and try to write down a description of your child and clothing, and also make out a list of friends and locations where the child might go.

Third, stay where we can reach you.

Missing Adults

Conducting an investigation for a missing adult is somewhat more complicated because of constitutional rights of privacy. However, contact the department right away and we will do what we can for you.

If the missing person has a mental impairment, or you believe the person is in danger in some manner, please contact us right away.

The Fairfield Police Department also has provisions for maintaining, in strictest confidence, information about family members who may wander away from home.

For additional information, contact our Community Relations Division at 513-896-8254.

If you need to retrieve or view property that you have lost or which has been stolen, the police property office is located at the Fairfield Police Department, located at 5230 Pleasant Ave.

Please bring proof of ownership, if you can, and photo identification.

Viewing and release hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairfield Police Department. For more information, or to schedule an appointment call 513-867-6030, option 4 during normal business hours.

The Fairfield Police Department Records Section maintains traffic accident and crime reports. Copies can be obtained by visiting the Police Department during business hours, or by making a written request and providing a self-addressed, stamped envelope. There is no charge for a single accident or basic police report. Find out more.

Fairfield's animal control ordinances require that pets be controlled.

• All dogs must be on a leash or confined in a fenced area.

   

• Dogs must have a collar and display a current Butler County license.

   

• Dogs must not be permitted to habitually bark or howl causing a disturbance.

   

• Pit bulls are prohibited.

   

• The number of dogs or cats, or combination permitted in a residence is not more than two.

Fairfield employs animal control officers to enforce regulations pertaining to animals. The officers will pickup animals found at large and transport them to the animal shelter in Trenton. Animals may be picked up upon payment of the boarding fee.

For further information, contact 513-829-8201 and ask that an animal control officer call you.

While the City of Fairfield does not have a leash law for cats, we realize that sometimes free-roaming cats can be nuisances. Households are limited to two cats, and cats must be vaccinated annually against rabies.

Cats are not required to display the rabies tag on a collar as dogs are. The Fairfield Police Department strongly recommends that owners confine their cats indoors at all times. The indoor cat escapes exposure to disease, traffic hazards and the cruelty of those annoyed by cats.

There are several solutions to cat nuisance problems. Rope!, an exterior animal repellant, can be used in areas where cats are a problem. In "sandbox" areas the feces should be removed or the soil replaced before Rope! is applied. If the owner of the problem cat is known, contact them and ask for their cooperation.

Live traps may also be available for the capture of elusive cats. Friendly ones may be transported in a sturdy box, carrier or pillowcase. All nuisance cats must be treated humanely and transported to Butler County Animal Shelter.

Contact Fairfield's animal control if you are experiencing a nuisance problem with a cat in your neighborhood. The phone number is 513-829-8201.

The City of Fairfield will remove dead animals in the roadway. Call the police department at 513-829-8201 and the problem will be taken care.

Removal of dead animals from private property is the responsibility of the property owner. Your veterinarian can help you with a referral.

If you are involved in an accident, there are several things you are legally required to do.

First, you must stop at the scene of the accident or as close to the scene as possible.

Second, give any help you can if someone is obviously injured. Don't attempt to move an injured person from a wrecked vehicle unless you have the necessary medical training or there is another immediate danger, such as a fire.

Third, report the accident to the police as quickly as possible. This includes accidents that occur on private property, that involve injury or death.

Fourth, exchange information with other people involved in the accident as soon as possible. This includes name, address and driver's license number of other drivers; license plate numbers; names and addresses of anyone injured; names and addresses of any witnesses; name, address and insurance policy number from other vehicle owners. Be sure to notify your own insurance company immediately. You should also see a doctor at the first opportunity. You might be injured and not know it.

Find out more.

Use our online form to report problems.

The Fairfield Fire Department does not service or refill fire extinguishers. Look in the yellow pages under "fire equipment" to locate companies which will refill extinguishers.

The Fairfield Fire Department does not take any type of hazardous materials. Household hazardous waste must be disposed of according to state and federal laws and regulations. The Ohio EPA provides a "A Guide to Safe Management of Household Hazardous Waste" on its Web site. You may also contact the Butler County Solid Waste Management District at 513-887-3693.

The Fairfield Fire Department does not charge for fire or EMS services.

The City of Fairfield's Building and Zoning Division handles complaints regarding abandoned furniture, appliances, etc., on private property; housing code violations' abandoned cars on private property; and general property maintenance violations. For further information, contact the City of Fairfield Building and Zoning Division at 513-867-5318.

To report a leaking or otherwise defective fire hydrant, contact the City of Fairfield Public Utilities Water Division at 513-858-7775.

To report a car abandoned on a public street or parked in a fire lane, contact the Fairfield Fire Department at 513-829-8201.

Fire hazards, including hazards in the workplace, hazardous waste or any other problems that may be a fire hazard may be reported to the Fairfield Fire Department. All information pertaining to complaints is handled in a confidential manner. A fire hazard complaint may be reported by calling 513-867-5378.

Questions, concerns or comments pertaining to the Fairfield Fire Department personnel may be made in person at the department's administrative offices located at 375 Nilles Road or may be phoned in by calling 513-867-5379.

If you have reason to believe that a person is setting a fire or has just set a fire, call 9-1-1 immediately. Be prepared to describe the suspect, including physical features and clothing, as well as the location and nature of the suspicious activity.

If you have information regarding a fire that has already occurred and is under investigation, please call 513-867-4254.

Children who play with fire place themselves, their families and their neighborhoods at risk. The Fairfield Fire Department juvenile fire setter program provides free intervention services to reduce the chances of further fire-play behavior. For additional information, please call 513-867-5378.

At least a rating of 2A10BC. This can be used on ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids or energized electrical equipment.

Any time your smoke detector goes off, it's important to pay attention. If it is sounding its loud alarm because it senses the presence of smoke, check your home thoroughly. If you smell smoke and are unable to locate a fire, call 9-1-1 and the Fairfield Fire Department will send an engine to make sure that a fire isn't smoldering in a hidden area.

If you don't smell smoke, the detector may be reacting to the presence of dust, steam or a small insect or spider. Dust and bugs can be removed by a vacuum cleaner. If steam from a nearby shower is affecting your smoke detector regularly, move the detector to a different location.

If the detector is just chirping, thumping or buzzing, it probably means that the battery is low. Replace the battery as soon as possible. Without a working battery, a smoke detector cannot do it job and the risk of dying in a fire increases greatly.

For more information, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 513-867-5378 or visit our Smoke Detector Guide.

Yes, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel. This could be caused by an improperly operating gas stove, gas water heater, oil or gas furnace, fireplace or kerosene heater. Even a motor vehicle operating in an enclosed space such as a garage could cause carbon monoxide to build up inside your home.