Cody Police Department

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Hi, I am  Steve Penwell, the Assistant Chief.   I am a 21 year veteran of the Cody Police department and am an actual supervisor, not a virtual one. I along with everyone at the Cody Police Department am always interested in answering questions that you may have regarding the Cody Police Department and Law Enforcement in general. I am here to answer those questions for you from the privacy and convenience of your home.  If you don't want your questions posted, let me know and I will e-mail you directly.

Please keep in mind that this is a community service so keep your questions proper. I can not answer questions regarding specific cases under investigation or in litigation.

Email your question to me at:

cpd@codypd.net

Questions and Answers

Q.  Who is responsible for removing snow on sidewalks?

 

By city ordinance, snow and ice removal is the responsibility of the property owner, agent or occupant of the premises abutting the sidewalk.  This includes vacant lots as well as both occupied and unoccupied structures.  In addition to this, in the downtown business district of the city, snow removal shall be done continuously during a heavy snowstorm for the comfort and safety of pedestrians.  

 

Q.  We recently moved to Cody and would like to know if there is a curfew for children?

 

Cody does have a curfew that prohibits unsupervised children under the age of 16 from  loitering in public places, and walking the streets.  The hours vary depending on the time of the year and day of the week.  

Sunday through Thursday curfew is from 11 PM until 5 AM.  On Friday and Saturday and every night during the summer months of June, July and August the curfew is from midnight to 5 AM.  The ordinance does allow exceptions for activities such as employment, school and religious activities, or when children are with parents or guardians.  The ordinance can also hold the parents liable if they knowingly allow their child to violate the curfew.  the penalty for a violation of the curfew can be up to $750 fine.

 

Q. What can be done about dogs that bark in my neighborhood?

 

The Police Department responds to many calls each year concerning barking dogs.  Generally they find that dogs bark when the  owner is away.  Dogs that bark at night can be particularly annoying at a time when most people are trying to sleep. When the Police Department receives a barking dog complaint they attempt to contact the owner to take care of the problem.  If the owner is unavailable an officer has two options.  If the dog is outside, the officer may take the animal and impound it.  Owners must pay the kenneling fees before getting the animal back.  If the dog is inside a residence or garage, a warning notice is hung on the door and a follow up visit is done at a later time to discuss the problem with the animals owner.  the owner may receive either a written or verbal warning or may be cited for the violation.  The city ordinance refers to those animals that cause "repeated or continual" noise such as barking, crowing, mooing, screeching and the like.  therefore it applies to all types of animals not just dogs.

 

Q.  If moving into Wyoming, when must I get my vehicle registration changed?

 

Wyoming statutes state you must apply for Wyoming registration upon becoming a resident of the state, or immediately if you are employed in this state. A resident is defined as anyone not a full time student of the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming Community College, who owns, leases or rents a place of residence within Wyoming, and who regardless of domicile, remains in the Jurisdiction for a period of 120 days or more.

 

Q.  What are Wyoming State Laws regarding the use of seat belts?

 

Each driver and  passenger of a motor vehicle operated in this state shall wear, and each driver of a motor vehicle shall require that a  passenger under the age of 12, shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt when the motor vehicle is in motion on public streets and highways. There are exceptions for the following:

 

 those who have a written statement from a physician stating that it is not advisable for medical reasons to wear a seat belt; if the vehicle is not required to be equipped with seat belts under federal law; for any person occupying the front seat where all safety restraints are being used; for postal carriers performing there duties as a postal carrier; or any person properly secured in a child safety restraint system.

 

No person shall operate a passenger vehicle in this state unless each child who is a passenger in that vehicle and who is four years of age or under, and who weighs forty pounds or less, is properly secured in a child safety restraint system.

 

Exceptions are if a licensed physician has determined that the weight or physical or medical condition of the child requires that the child not be secured in such a system, or if the driver of the vehicle is rendering aid or assistance to the child or his parent or guardian.

 

Q.  How can I get a copy of a police report?

 

Laws specifically govern which types of reports can be released to the public.  Contact the Administrative Secretary in person or by phone. The secretary can determine who is eligible to receive a copy. Please allow 5 working days from the date the report was filed. A fee may be charged for some reports.  -Accident reports: $2.00

 

Q.  Is there a curfew?

 

There is a curfew for children under the age of 16. The curfew is from 11:00 PM till 05:00 AM except that on Friday and Saturday throughout the year, and on every night during the months of June, July and August, such curfew time is extended to 12:00 PM (midnight). This does not apply to children accompanied by their parents, children performing their employment or going home from such employment, or children attending an official school or religious activity, or returning home from that activity.

 

Any parent or guardian or other person having the care and custody of a minor child under the age of 16, who knowingly permits a violation of the curfew, shall be deemed guilty of willful neglect of that child.

 

Q.  Where is Municipal (City) Court?

 

Municipal Court is on the second floor of the old portion of the Court House at 1002 Sheridan Avenue.

 

Q.  Where do I pay Municipal fines?

 

Municipal Court fines can be paid at City Hall to the Municipal Court Clerk at 1338 Rumsey Ave.

 

Q.  Where is County Court?

 

County Court is located on the second floor of the old portion of the Court House at 1002 Sheridan Ave.

 

Q.  Where do I pay County Court Fines?

 

County Court fines are paid at the Circuit Court Clerks office on the second floor of the old portion of the Court House.

 

Q.  What happens when I go to court?

 

You are asked to be respectful of the Judge and others in the court room by being on time. Be seated in the court room upon arrival. Please make sure you get rid of any gum or tobacco prior to entering the court room and gentlemen please remove your hat. After you are advised of your rights, the Judge will call your name. When called go forward to the podium. The Judge will advise you of the charge against you, make sure you understand the charge and penalties, and ask you to enter a plea. If you plead guilty, you and the complaining officer will have a chance to give testimony as to the facts of the case. The Judge will then sentence you. If you plead not guilty, a trial will be set on the charge.

 

Q.  Can I just pay a fine and not appear in front of the Judge?

 

If the citation is a misdemeanor and is not marked as a must appear, you can pay the fine to the clerk of court prior to the court date that was set for you.

 

Q.  What if I can't appear on the date that was scheduled for me?

 

Contact the clerk of court as soon as possible to see if the hearing can't be re-scheduled.

 

Q.  What if I fail to appear on my scheduled date?

 

If a bond was posted, it will most likely be forfeited. If no bond was collected, there will most likely be a warrant issued for your arrest.

 

Q.  If I am arrested for Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol, and refuse a breath test, may I get a temporary drivers license?

 

No. Your License is suspended for 6 months for a first offense, 18 months if you have refused to take a chemical test in a previous arrest for DWUI or if you have been previously convicted of DWUI.

 

Q.  Where is the animal shelter?

 

The animal shelter better known as the Humane Society, it is located at 5537 Greybull Highway,  just East of the State Highway Department building.

 

Q.  Is there an ordinance on cat at large?

 

cc sec 5-16 states the owner of a dog or cat shall confine such animal to his own premises and not allow same to run at large within the City.

 

Q.  What is the licensing laws for pets in Cody?

 

cc sec 5-12 and 5-13, advises that it us unlawful for any person to keep a dog or cat 4 months of age or older in the city unless it shall have been currently vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Every owner shall see that each vaccinated animal wears at all times the rabies tag issued for that animal.

 

Q.  What is the leash law in Cody?

 

All animals off of the owners premises, must be on a leash and under control of the owner or authorized person, or temporarily tethered by leash in an area open to the public so as not to cause an obstruction of any kind. There is no place in Cody open for an animal to run freely. Please remember Beck Lake Park and the other City parks are not open for free running of your animal.

 

Q.  What is the law regarding animal waste?

 

The owner or custodian of every animal shall immediately retrieve and remove all feces deposited by thier animal while off the owner's property.

 

Q.  What can I do about make dogs coming around when my female is in heat?

 

The owner of any female dog or cat shall keep such animal, when in heat, under confinement in such manner as not to attract the male. If the female does attract the male of the species, the female under confinement will be deemed a nuisance. It is the duty of Law Enforcement to immediately abate such nuisance or cause the owner to do such.

 

Q.  What is the law as it pertains to barking dogs?

 

No person shall own or keep an animal, which by continual or repeated barking...or other noisy activity, disturbs the peace of others. At this time the animal may be impounded by police department personnel. Officers may go onto the property or premises to impound said animal. It is also the discretion of the officer to write a citation for the disturbance. Any animal not reclaimed within 14 days will be disposed of as deemed proper with out further notice.

 

Q.  What happens to feral animals?

 

If the animal can be safely captured, it is impounded at the animal shelter. If an owner can not be located, the animal will be held for six days with written notice made at the Law Enforcement Center of such animal. All attempts will be made to hold the animal for adoption if, the animal is deemed adoptable and space permits. If an adopted family can not be found with in the time limits, then the animal will be humanely euthanized. If the animal is found to be dangerous, sick with or liable to communicate rabies or other contagious or infectious diseases, and cannot be safely taken up and impounded, such animal may be  humanly euthanized by law enforcement or other authorized person.

 

Q.  What can I do about harassing phone calls?

 

Stay calm and hang up the phone. Contact US West or your local provider to advise them of the problem and ask for their assistance. They may request an incident number from the local law enforcement agency. If so, contact us for a report.

 

If the call is threatening or a life threatening emergency, contact your local law enforcement agency first, and with out delay.

 

Q.  What is the procedure for having an abandoned vehicle removed?

 

If the vehicle is on private property attempt to contact the owner to have it removed.  If you are unable to contact the owner, you can have it removed immediately by contacting a wrecker service of your choice.  

 

If you call Law Enforcement to have the vehicle removed, we will tag the vehicle and a five day waiting period given for the owner to move the vehicle.  If the vehicle is not moved within that period, we will have the vehicle towed.

 

For vehicles not on private property, contact us at the Police Department to have the vehicle removed.  The vehicle will be tagged and a waiting period of 24 hours given for the owner to remove the vehicle.  If the vehicle has not been removed by the owner, the law enforcement agency will have the vehicle towed.

 

Q.  Is it OK to phone officers at home?

 

We are always willing to give the best personal service to those we serve.  But just as all of you have a private life and do not want to be interrupted during those times, so do we have private lives and enjoy our time away from work.  If you have a concern that needs attention, know that we have many qualified officers that can help you and someone is always available, 24 hours a day at the Cody Law Enforcement Center.  You can reach them at 527-8700 or by stopping by 1131 11th Street.  If the officer has given you their  phone number, you can feel free to call them at home. Thank you for your consideration.