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1. Does Laguna Hills have its own police department?

The City of Laguna Hills contracts with the Orange County Sheriff's Department for all of its law enforcement needs. The Sheriff's Department is responsible for providing for the protection of citizens, the enforcement of laws and crime prevention. Law enforcement services include patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, traffic accident analysis and investigation, parking enforcement, and the use of specialized units when necessary.

2. How do I report a crime?

In the event of an EMERGENCY or if a crime is in progress, call 9-1-1 immediately. For non-emergency situations or to report a crime such as vandalism or disturbing the peace, please contact Orange County Sheriff's Dispatch at (949) 770-6011.

3. I've filed a crime report, now what happens?

Once a crime report has been filed, in most instances, the case will proceed as follows: The deputy who took the report will provide you with a Case # for future reference. As much follow-up investigation will be done by the deputy before it is submitted to a Supervisor for approval. The Supervisor will then forward the report to the Investigation Division where it will be assigned to an investigator who specializes in investigating that particular type of crime. If there is workable suspect information, the investigator will continue to work the case to resolution. If there is no workable information in the report, the investigator will contact you to ascertain if there is any new information available. If there is no new information or evidence, the case will be made inactive until any new information becomes available. From the time the deputy writes the report to the time it is assigned to an investigator takes approximately 5-7 working days. You may obtain a copy of the report through Orange County Sheriff's Records Division at (714) 834-6454 approximately 10-14 working days after the report is made.

4. Who do I call to find out the status of a case currently under investigation by the Sheriff's Department?

The Investigation Division of the Orange County Sheriff's Department is located in Aliso Viejo and can be reached at (949) 425-1900.

5. I was involved in a traffic collision and an officer took a report. What happens with that information and how do I get a copy of that report?

If you were involved in a traffic collision in Laguna Hills and an officer was called to the scene to take a report, in most instances, the case will proceed as follows: The officer who took the information will provide you with a Case # and will write a report that is submitted to the Traffic Investigation Office in Aliso Viejo (949) 425-1860. After approval by a Traffic Investigator, the report will become available through the Orange County Sheriff's Records Division at (714) 834-6454 approximately 10-14 working days after the report is made. Accident reportes dated after September 2008 are also available online at www.ocsd.org. Online Traffic Collision Reports

6. How do I contest a parking citation?

Please refer to the back of the citation. An explanation of the process to contest the citation is printed on the reverse side of the citation.

If you are indigent and unable to pay the parking violation penalty at the time the citation is issued or unable to pay the parking violation penalty following an administrative hearing, you may provide documentation to determine indigency and request a payment plan.  To do so, you must submit a Request for Payment Plan for an indigency determination 60 calendar days from the issuance of a notice of parking violation, or 10 days after the administrative hearing determination, whichever is later.   The Request for Payment Plan must include copies of the required documents listed below that demonstrate your inability to pay.

For purposes of this Policy, a person is “indigent” if any of the following conditions is met:

• The person meets the income criteria set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code: A person whose monthly income is 125 percent or less of the current poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of paragraph (2) of Section 9902 of Title 42 of the United States Code.
• The person receives public benefits from any of the programs listed in subdivision (a) of Section 68632 of the Government Code:
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplementary Payment (SSP)
• California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act (CalWORKs) or a federal Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF) grant program
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the California Food Assistance Program
• County Relief, General Relief (GR), or General Assistance (GA)
• Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Legal Immigrants (CAPI)
• In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
• Medi-Cal
• Alternatively, you may demonstrate that you are indigent by providing either of the following information, as applicable:
• Proof of income from a pay stub or another form of proof of earnings, such as a bank statement, that shows you meet the income criteria set forth above, subject to review and approval. Approval will not unreasonably withheld.
• Proof of receipt of benefits under the programs described above, including, but not limited to, an electronic benefits transfer card or another card, subject to review and approval. Approval will not unreasonably withheld.

7. How can I get a restraining order?

Restraining orders are issued by a Superior Court Judge. For further information, call (714) 935-7956.

8. My vehicle has been impounded. How do I get it back?

If a vehicle has been impounded due to an unlicensed driver, suspended license or any other traffic violation and it was towed from within Laguna Hills, please contact the Laguna Hills Police Services Administrative Sergeant at (949) 707-2642 to make an appointment to complete an impound hearing request form. This form is also available on the City’s website under the “forms” section.

9. My vehicle has been towed. How do I find out where it is being stored and get it out?

You will need to obtain the vehicle license plate number or VIN. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is indicated on your vehicle registration form or pink slip. Call the Orange County Sheriff’s Dispatch desk at (949) 770-6011 to confirm that the vehicle was towed, why it was towed, who was responsible, and the name and phone number of the tow company. Then contact the tow company to find out what will be required to get the car back. If there is a “hold” on the vehicle and it was towed from within Laguna Hills, contact the Administrative Sergeant for Laguna Hills at (949) 707-2642. If there is a “hold” on the vehicle and it was towed from any city other than Laguna Hills, contact the Administrative Sergeant for the city in which the tow originated.

10. What can I do about vehicles parked in front of my house for multiple days?

California State law states vehicles parked on the street over 72 hours may be considered abandoned vehicles. Please contact Orange County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (949) 770-6011 to report the location and description of the vehicle. Officers will come out and check to make sure the vehicle is not stolen, confirm it is properly registered, and mark the vehicle's tire. The vehicle can be cited 72 hours after it is marked and ultimately towed away at the owner's expense.

11. Who should I contact regarding traffic laws and enforcement of traffic laws?

Please contact the Laguna Hills Administrative Sergeant at (949) 707-2642 for questions related to traffic laws and the enforcement of those traffic laws.

12. Where can I get LiveScan fingerprints done?

The Orange County Sheriff's Aliso Viejo substation offers LiveScan fingerprinting services by appointment only. Please call (949) 425-1801 for more information.