How do I get to the Highlands Police Department? TOP

We are located at 171 Bay Avenue, Highlands, New Jersey.  For your convenience you can follow one of the following pre-written directions.

From the North:
Garden State Parkway South to exit 117, then follow Highway 36 East for approximately 12 miles to “Highlands Business District”.  Take jug handle to cross the Highway and follow Linden Avenue to a stop sign. At the stop sign make a left hand turn onto Waterwitch Avenue and follow to stop sign.  Then make a right hand turn onto Bay Avenue.  Follow Bay Avenue towards the center of town, 171 Bay Avenue, will be on the right hand side across the street from the post office.

From the South:
Garden State Parkway North to exit 105 to Highway 36 East (Past Monmouth Park), make left onto Ocean Avenue, follow Ocean Avenue to the Highlands/Sea Bright Bridge, cross bridge and proceed to first traffic light. Turn right at the light and continue down Miller Street to stop sign.  Make a left hand turn onto Bay Avenue; 171 Bay Avenue will be on the left hand side across the street from the post office.

From the West:
Take 195 East to the Garden State Parkway North to exit 105 to Highway 36 East (Past Monmouth Park), make left onto Ocean Avenue and follow ocean to Highlands/Sea Bright Bridge, cross bridge and proceed to first traffic light.  Turn right at the light and continue down Miller Street to stop sign.  Make a left hand turn onto Bay Avenue; 171 Bay Avenue will be on the left hand side across the street from the post office.

How do I obtain a copy of a police report? TOP

All police reports must be obtained through the police records clerk located within the Police Department in the Municipal Building at 171 Bay Avenue.  Reports may be picked up Monday – Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Please contact the records clerk if you cannot arrive during regular business hours to pick up a report and arrangements can be made to leave the report at the front desk for you to pick up at anytime. 

How do I obtain a handicapped-parking placard? TOP

Temporary handicapped parking placards can be obtained through the records clerk, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The placards are available to anyone who has temporarily lost the use of one or more limbs or is temporarily disabled as to be unable to ambulate without the aid of an assisting device or whose mobility is otherwise temporarily limited as certified by a physician, podiatrist or chiropractor.  Temporary placards are valid for up to six (6) months and may renewed one time at the discretion of the issuing authority for a period of not more than six (6) months.  Temporary handicapped parking placards are intended for non-permanent, temporary injuries and disabilities only.  They are not for temporary periods of time.  For example:  a temporary handicapped-parking placard will not be issued to be used until a permanent one arrives.

Applications for a temporary handicapped-placard must be filled out, including the section for certifying doctor.  Letters or prescriptions from the doctor will not be accepted.  Return the completed application with a four dollar ($4.00) check or money order made payable to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for processing.

Once issued the placard shall be displayed on the motor vehicle used by the temporarily handicapped person.  A vehicle which has a placard displayed is allowed to park in a designated handicapped parking place. 

Now that I’ve received a handicapped-parking placard can a reserved handicapped parking space be made in front of my home? TOP

Reserved handicapped-parking spaces will only be approved for those residents with permanent disabilities that have no off-street parking (driveway) for the residence.  Temporary handicapped-parking placards do not qualify you for a reserved parking space. 

Individuals with permanent disabilities who have been classified as a Disabled Person by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and have obtained either a permanent handicapped parking placard (blue placard) or handicapped license plates through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission may pick up an application for reserved handicapped-parking space at Police Headquarters, 171 Bay Avenue, Highlands. 

The completed application along with a photocopy of the vehicle’s registration, applicants New Jersey driver’s license and Disabled Persons Identification Card must be returned to the Police Department.  Once received a site check will be scheduled to ascertain if the applicant meets all requirements for a reserved handicapped parking space and to measure the location of the sign. 

A recommendation from the Chief of Police will then be made to the Mayor & Council to pass a Resolution for the sign.  After the Resolution has been passed the Department of Public Works will be scheduled to install the sign and mark the space. 

Please keep in mind that the Mayor and Council only meet on the First and Third Wednesdays of the month so the entire process for the placement of the sign could take up to eight weeks or more to be completed.  

I was issued a motor vehicle summons, how much is the fine and how do I pay my ticket? TOP

The Highlands Police Department does not have a fee schedule for fines.  If the fine for the specific violation you were charged with is not on your summons you must contact the Highlands Municipal Court at (732) 872-1224 ext. 217, Monday – Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. except Holidays.

By providing the Court Administrator with the statue or ordinance number you are charged with or the summons number, the Court Administrator will let you know if it is a payable offense or if a court appearance is required.

If you are pleading not guilty you must notify the Municipal Court at least seven (7) days prior to your court date to have your name placed on the docket.

What is the procedure for fingerprinting? TOP

The Highlands Police Department offers non-criminal fingerprinting services for certain types of employment.  There is no charge for this service as it is provided as a courtesy to Highlands residents only. 

Fingerprinting services are conducted by the duty officers Monday-Sunday (including Holidays) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Monday – Friday between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Since the Highlands Police Department has limited manpower and the duty officers may be involved with an emergency call prior to your arrival, residents should expect the process to take some time. 

Residents are required to bring a picture identification card and fingerprint cards supplied by your employer. 

The Highlands Police Department will not fingerprint or photograph individuals for immigration or passports.  You may contact the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (973-645-3242) for the closest authorized fingerprinting center. 

Applications for Firearms Purchaser Identification Cards

There is a $5.00 fee for the application; this fee must be paid prior to receiving the application.

The applicant is required to fill out the Firearms Purchaser Identification Card application (STS-33), Consent for Mental Health Records form (SP-66) and two (2) reference forms in their entirety and sign each form.  The police department will witness signatures where required.

Although the Consent for Mental Health Records form does not provide a space for your social security number, it is now required, please write your social security number on the top of the form. 

State and Federal fingerprint checks are mandatory for all applicants.  Fingerprinting for firearms purposes will only be done by appointment and the firearms officers, Dsgt. Louis Fundora or Det. Robert Burton, must schedule the appointments.  At the time of your fingerprinting appointment, applicants are required to bring a picture identification card and a money order in the amount of $54.00 made payable to:  New Jersey State Police, SBI.

NOTE:  There is a 12- 18-week wait on all initial fingerprint checks.

Application to Purchase a Handgun

There is a $2.00 fee for the application; this fee must be paid prior to receiving the application.

The applicant is required to fill out the form and sign it. 

For applications six (6) months or more after the initial fingerprint check State Form 212 – Name Check Only may be required, in this case the applicant must fill out the form in its entirety and return it to Dsgt. Louis Fundora with an $18.00 money order made payable to:  New Jersey State Police – SBI.

Note:  In order to file this application the applicant must have previously obtained a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card.

Application to Change Name/Address on Purchaser

Identification Card

There is a $2.00 fee for the application; this fee must be paid prior to receiving the application. 

This application will be used when the Purchaser Identification Card is lost/stolen or requesting a change of name/address. 

Examples:  An applicant obtains a Purchaser Identification Card through another municipality and then moves to the Borough of Highlands, the applicant would apply for a change of address.

A female applicant obtains a Purchaser Identification Card then marries; the applicant would apply for a change of name.

If I come to the Police Department with identification, can I get a check of my driver’s license to see how many points I have or a criminal history check? TOP

The Highlands Police Department is prohibited by law from disseminating any criminal history information including Division of Motor Vehicle information. 

Following the appropriate application process the general public may obtain criminal history information through the New Jersey State Police.  To obtain information in reference to the application process, please contact Division Headquarters, West Trenton, New Jersey at (609) 882-2000.

Driver history records may be obtained directly from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission at (609) 292-6500.

Should I call the police department during a power outage? TOP

If you rely on your power for medical reasons and need assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Highlands Police Department at (732) 872-1158.

If your only intention is to notify the Highlands Police Department that your power is out, please understand that the Police Department can be extremely busy with emergency situations and traffic control at times like this, therefore, we request that you contact JCP&L, Outage Reporting Line at 888-544-4877.

 Who should I contact with an animal control problem or question? TOP

The Borough of Highlands does contract with an animal control officer. 

The contract requires that the Highlands Police Department make the request for an animal control officer to respond.   For any animal questions you may have you can contact the police department.

Please be advised that the Highlands Police Department does not have facilities to house animals while waiting for animal control, therefore, complainants may be asked to keep an animal contained until animal control can arrive.  DO NOT BRING STRAY ANIMALS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

 I have locked my keys in my vehicle could an officer respond to open my vehicle? TOP

The Highlands Police Department patrol vehicles are not equipped with the tool (slim-jim) needed to unlock a vehicle.  In a situation when you have locked your keys in your vehicle, please contact a tow service for assistance.  Be advised that there will be a charge for this service. 

In emergency situations where you may have locked your child in the vehicle along with your keys, please do not hesitate to contact the Highlands Police Department. 

 I have received calls from solicitors requesting donations for various police related organizations.
Are these calls legitimate and if I donate will the money benefit the officers in my local police department? TOP

The officers of the Highlands Police Department are represented by the New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolent Association Sandy Hook Local # 48.  The Highlands Police Department does not solicit over the telephone; fundraising is conducted through an annual mailing. 

Although, some of these organizations are legitimate the donations do not benefit the Highlands Police Department.