Full Notification

A Message from the Chief of Police
 
Dear Petaluma Community,
 
As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19, and in response to the most recent directives from the Governor yesterday, City of Petaluma is shifting to an “essential services only” operations model beginning Tuesday, March 17, and continuing through April 6, 2020.
 
Under this model, the City will focus on delivering “mission-essential services,” i.e., those related to functions that, directly impact the life safety of the public and/or City staff; and those related to statutes, laws, executive orders, or directives that charge the organization with mandatory responsibilities. 
 
All public-facing City facilities—including City Hall, the Petaluma Community Center, and Police Department lobby--will be closed to the public beginning at the close of business on March 16 through April 3. Contact information and service availability for City departments can be found on the city’s website at cityofpetaluma.org.
 
The decision to adopt an “essential services only” model of operation follows the guidance announced by Governor Newsom on Sunday, March 15—with the ultimate goal to reduce transmission of the Coronavirus within the community, especially among staff and members of the public who would otherwise be interacting in-person. 
 
With respect to services provided by your Police Department, we are implementing service strategies that reduce the need for face-to-face contact between our staff and the community we serve, for both your safety and the safety of your public safety personnel.  We are limiting the need for face-to-face contact to emergency and urgent situations as necessary.    Please be patient as we prioritize crimes against people over property crimes and move to a stronger on-line or phone reporting system.  The prevention of and response to fatal and injury traffic collisions will continue to be a priority for patrol and traffic officers.  Unfortunately we remain unable to respond to property damage only collisions and thank you for your understanding with our staffing and resource challenges.   If you call on us and we ask you to step outside your home or business to speak to our officers, please know it is for our collective safety.  
 
Please follow updates on reporting options on our website here or by entering the following address in your web browser:  https://cityofpetaluma.org/contact-police/
 
For emergency situations requiring an immediate police response, please dial 911.  For non-emergency situations please call our non-emergency line at (707) 778-4373 or for a voicemail directory call (707) 778-4372 and follow the directions.  
 
While the police lobby remains closed to general public access for normal business, our building and lobby will always be available to community members seeking safe haven from violence or abuse.  We have implemented protocols for allowing access to the lobby for victims of threats or violence.  Please be patient as we screen for safe access into the facility.  
 
We remain in contact with our regional, state, and federal law enforcement and health partners to be sure we are prepared and ready to respond to the public safety needs of our community as we navigate this new challenge.
 
We would like to thank our community for paying attention and being informed on the standard precautions and preventive measures recommended by the CDC to limit the spread of COVID19.  We would also like to thank everyone for obeying the health and safety orders issued by the CDC, State of California, and County of Sonoma.  
 
If you are not connected to us on one of our many social media platforms, please text your zip code to 888777 and you will automatically be subscribed to Nixle, a free public safety notification system provided to you by the City of Petaluma.  You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor.  
 
The men and women of the Petaluma Police Department are committed to serving and protecting you and your families through this public health situation.  We are proud to serve you and we are here if you have any needs or questions, we just ask for your patience as the call volume on our dispatch staff has increased significantly.  Thank you for supporting us, the kind words and gestures go a long way for those who serve at great risk to their own safety.   
 
Respectfully,
 
Ken Savano, Chief of Police
City of Petaluma Police Department
[email protected]
(707) 778-4370