Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety was established in 1997 to centralize the Town's enforcement functions and to better implement Town local laws, rules and regulations. In taking this step, the Town Board demonstrated its commitment to effective enforcement of the Town Code to preserve and improve the quality of life of North Hempstead residents.

Code Enforcement

The Department's Division of Code Enforcement administers and enforces Town laws, ordinances and regulations in the Town's unincorporated areas. These laws generally are aimed at keeping the Town's residential and commercial areas clean and safe. Residents may call the Division to report what they believe to be a violation of the Town Code. If the condition they report appears to violate the Code, the Division will send out an inspector to investigate the matter. If the inspector concludes that a violation has been committed, then a notice of violation or an appearance ticket may be issued to the offending property owner, requiring them to appear in court for a judicial proceeding. Offenders found guilty may be subject to fines or imprisonment.

Parking Enforcement

The Division of Parking Enforcement issues parking tickets to motorists violating the Town's Uniform Traffic Code, which restricts parking on streets and in certain shopping centers in the Town's unincorporated areas. Town parking tickets are adjudicated and collected by the Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency, located at 801 Axinn Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530.

Animal Shelter and Control

The Division of the Animal Shelter is responsible for administering and maintaining the Town's dog shelter, enforcing local and State animal protection, control and licensing laws, and administering Town dog control services. This Division makes dogs available for adoption and operates from the Town's Animal Shelter.

Emergency Management

Working with the various Town departments and with Federal, State, and County emergency management officials, the Department's Division of Emergency Management coordinates the Town's response to hurricanes, nor'easters, other severe weather conditions, and non-weather related catastrophes (including terrorist attacks). To guide its activities, the Division has prepared the Town's emergency management plan.