You and your neighbors could work closer with your Police Department and Beat Officers to deal with some of your concerns regarding noise, loud music, abandoned cars, and drugs.

Noise/Loud Music
Regarding Loud Noise and Music complaints coming from a specific neighborhood residence:

Recommendation: Call the Rock Island Police Department and provide as much specific information as possible regarding what is taking place. The non-emergency number 732-2677 should be used during normal business hours (between 7:30 a.m. and 10:45 p.m.) or call 9-1-1 after hours (10:45 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.). The person making the complaint should be ready to "act as the complainant" regarding the noise. Based on the information provided by the complainant(s) and the officer's observations the responding officer may be able to take one of the following actions:

A. Issue a City Ordinance citation for "Disturbing the Peace" to the violator(s). If there is more then one complainant the officer issuing the citation shall list the names of each of the neighbors who complained on the citation.
 
B. Depending on the violator's criminal history the officer may be required to take the violator into physical custody and transport the violator to Police Headquarters for the booking process. This is normal procedure and the officer must complete an arrest report. The arrest report will include information on each of the neighbors who asked to file a complaint and the circumstances involved in the arrest. The violator will still be charged with a City Ordinance violation of Disturbing the Peace, which is a petty offense. The violator, if unable to post bond, will be released on a Notice to Appear.
 
C. To report loud music from a vehicle, telephone the Police Department and provide the license plate number of the vehicle (if possible), direction of travel, and description of the vehicle. If the officer arrives in the neighborhood and can hear the music coming from the vehicle from more than 75 feet away, the officer can in turn issue a citation. If, however, the music has been turned off, and/or the vehicle has left the area the officer may issue a citation if the complainant can identify the operator of the vehicle and is willing to go to court and act as the complaining witness.

Abandoned Cars
To report abandoned cars, trucks, trailers, etc. please telephone the Police Department between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 10:45 p.m. Please telephone the non-emergency number, 732-2677, and provide the following information:

A. If possible, license number and state, make, model and color and location e.g. "in front of 123 4th Street, on 4th Street, west side, between 4th and 5th Avenues, etc."

B. Also, provide your name, address and telephone number.

Animals
To report or file a complaint about a barking dog or animals running at large:

Recommendation: Telephone the Police Department utilizing the non-emergency telephone line (732-COPS [2677]) between the hours of 7:30 - 10:45 p.m. and report the complaint. If your complaint is of an emergency nature such as a dog bite or a vicious dog, please utilize the emergency 9-1-1 and an officer will be dispatched. After 10:45 p.m. utilize 9-1-1 to report all animal complaints including those that are non emergency. Provide your name, address and telephone number. If the complaint is of a non-emergency nature, the information will be passed on to the Animal Control Division to be handled on the following work day. If your complaint necessitates the issuance of a City Ordinance citation you will be listed as the complainant on the citation and may be required to go to court and provide testimony regarding the matter. Animal Control Personnel do not respond to non-domestic animal complaints such as racoons, skunks, birds, etc. If you wish to report such animal complaints you have to call one of the local Wild Life Agencies listed in the Telephone Book Yellow Pages.

Drug Activity
Drug activity can be reported in several ways. The deciding factor in how drug activity is reported to the police is for the complainant to determine if the drug activity is occurring at that time or if the complainant is reporting prior acts. If drug activity is occurring at that time the complainant should call 9-1-1 to report this activity so an officer can respond immediately. The complainant should as always give as much detailed information as possible to the dispatcher so as to increase the chance that the suspect(s) can be caught and apprehended.

If the complainant wishes to report drug activity occurring at a location and this activity has been going on over a period of time then the complainant should telephone the Front Desk at Police Headquarters at 732-2677 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 10:45 p.m. to report this activity. This information can and will be disseminated throughout the Department by the employees working the Front Desk.

In some cases the complainant may wish to speak with a member of the Department's Narcotics/Vice Division so as to provide more detailed information or to offer their assistance in apprehending those persons dealing in drugs. On these occasions the complainant should telephone the Front Desk and request that a member of the Narcotics/Vice Division return their call.

Miscellaneous
If you are not satisfied with the actions taken by an officer(s). Please don't wait two or three days to acknowledge the dissatisfaction. Telephone Police Headquarters at 732-2677 (after 10:45 p.m. you must dial 9-1-1) and ask to speak personally with the Watch or Assistant Watch Commander. A lieutenant or sergeant will either telephone you or come to your residence. This will enable us to properly explain our actions or take the necessary actions to address and/or correct the situation.

If you have any questions or need any information regarding the Police Department please telephone the Administrative Office at 732-2400 and your call will be directed to the appropriate Police Bureau.