- Home
- City Government
- Departments and Divisions
- Police
- Community Programs
Community Programs
The Division of Police offers numerous safety and educational programs to the public, from hosting National Night Out, to the annual Citizen Police Academy program, to group tours and speaker services. Learn about the various programs offered by the division below. For information on any of the programs, please contact the Division of Police non-emergency line at 614-237-6333.
Lock Box Program
In a dedicated effort to enhance community safety, the Whitehall City Police Department has joined hands with Columbus Public Health to provide secure storage solutions for residents with young family members who may be at risk of self-harm. This partnership recognizes that limiting access to lethal means is a critical aspect of a comprehensive approach to preventing suicide.
Mental health experts identify access to lethal means as a significant risk factor for suicide. As a result, restricting such access plays a pivotal role in safeguarding lives. Among these lethal means, firearms stand as the most lethal suicide method, closely followed by medications that can be lethal in high doses.
To secure a Lock Box for your residence, please contact 614.545.9697
Follow these steps to keep our community safe
Immediate Action is Crucial
If your child or teenager expresses thoughts about death, self-harm, harming themselves or others, or makes any attempt to end their life or someone else's life, it's vital to respond promptly and take every comment or attempt seriously. Utilize the following resources:
- Dial 911 for immediate medical or safety assistance.
- Head to the nearest emergency room.
- Reach out to Netcare Access for Crisis Assistance at 614.276.2273.
- Contact the Franklin County Suicide Prevention line at 614.221.5445.
- Connect with the Franklin County Youth Psychiatric Crisis Line at 614.722.1800.
- Seek support from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255.
Close Monitoring of Your Child
Exercise vigilant supervision of your child or teenager:
- Observe and be attentive to any shifts in their mood or behavior.
- Keep bedroom doors open.
- Ensure that your child is not alone in any room without the door open.
- Do not permit your child to visit other homes unless there is close adult supervision.
- Communicate with your child's school or workplace to discuss supervision and safety requirements.
- Regularly check in on your child and make it clear that you are available to listen whenever they are ready to talk.
Home Safety Precautions
Reducing access to lethal means, including firearms and medications, can be a critical factor in determining the outcome for a child or teenager at risk of suicide:
- It is of utmost importance to remove all knives, firearms, and ammunition from the home. If this isn't possible, secure these items and store ammunition separately from firearms.
- Conduct a thorough search of your house and your child's room to eliminate potentially harmful items (sharp objects, cleaning supplies, alcohol, belts, power tools, etc.).
- Safeguard or remove ALL medications, including Tylenol, Ibuprofen, vitamins, and supplements.
- In this situation, merely placing items "out of reach" is insufficient; they must be completely inaccessible. It may be necessary to remove these items from the home for an extended period. Consider using a safety lock or lock box for all medications in the household.
- Be mindful of other potentially hazardous items in the home, such as plastic bags, belts, and various cords (electric cords, window blind cords, etc.).
- Do not allow your child to have unsupervised access to a car. Keep a teen's keys until they are needed.
Citizen Police Academy
The Whitehall Citizens’ Police Academy offers an insight into the operations of the Whitehall Division of Police. The academy educates citizens about the "hows" and "whys" of the department and the citizens’ role in community oriented policing. Suspicions and misconceptions are dispelled through this educational process, which helps increase police and community rapport. Residents or individuals, at least 18 years old, employed within the city limits of Whitehall can attend the academy.
Knowledge Learned
A wide variety of topics are covered during the academy. Participants will receive insight into the day-to-day operations of the Division of Police. In addition, participants will learn more about the functions of a police officer, including the legalities of police work and become acquainted with the different divisions within the department such as the Detective Bureau, Communications, and Special Weapons and Tactic (SWAT).
This is an excellent opportunity to meet the individuals who work to protect and serve you. You will gain a true knowledge of your local police and a chance to improve the working relationship between citizens and police. It is through this program that we can work together to sustain the Whitehall community pride.
Apply Today
The latest class of the Whitehall Citizens Police Academy began in August. The Division of Police is currently accepting applications for future sessions. Residents or individuals at least 18 years old who live or are employed within the City of Whitehall are able to attend the academy. For more information and to apply, contact Sergeant Jon Earl at jonathan.earl@whitehall-oh.us or at 614-545-9697.
Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association
The Whitehall Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (WCPAAA) is a group made up of graduates from the Whitehall Citizens Police Academy 10-week training class. Their goal is to continually give support and help “Make a Difference” to the Whitehall Division of Police and broader Whitehall community. Learn more here >>
Mobile Community Watch
Apply for Mobile Community Watch >>
The Whitehall Mobile Community Watch Program is comprised of neighborhoods, much like your own, that have decided to insure the safety of their community by forming a partnership with the Whitehall Division of Police. Volunteers wear uniforms that proudly display to any potential criminal that they are the eyes and ears of law enforcement within this community. Over 100,000 members from communities across the country currently help law enforcement keep their neighborhoods safe by volunteering as a part of various community watch programs.
Each member of the Whitehall Mobile Community Watch receives training, uniforms, and guidance from the Whitehall Division of Police to ensure that this program succeeds in helping eliminate crime from your neighborhood.
All members of the Whitehall Mobile Community Watch are supervised by a sworn law enforcement liaison officer who will monitor the performance of patrols under their jurisdiction.
Program Expectations and Duties
- A Mobile Community Watch member’s primary job function is to patrol a designated area and observe suspicious occurrences, people, or objects.
- Perform routine house checks of closed houses, when requested, and report any unusual occurrences.
- Contact police communications upon observation of any suspicious activity, vehicle, or person.
- Patrol designated area in a diligent and professional manner.
- Respond on predetermined calls for service (traffic direction, traffic assistance, etc.).
- Turn in all reports and paperwork to the community watch liaison at the end of each shift.
- Be courteous and professional in the performance of duties and assigned tasks.
- Participate in special events throughout Whitehall.
- Maintain all equipment in a proper condition.
- Maintain appearances in conformity with the acceptable Whitehall Division of Police policy.
Resident and Police Partnership
The Mobile Community Watch Program is an effective approach to residential safety, awareness, and involvement and serves as a strong deterrent against unlawful actions of potential criminals. Considerable credit for the reduction of crime rates is attributed to the presence of the mobile community watch on the streets of participating neighborhoods, plus the continuous vigilance of individual patrol members.
The effectiveness of any neighborhood community watch is totally dependent on the efficient management of the program by its patrol leaders, together with the loyalty and dedication shared among the individual members. Your willingness to serve with the program is a positive indication of your enthusiastic interest in the safety and security of your neighborhood. Your time and energy will be a most worthwhile investment for the betterment of your community.
Prescription Drug Drop Box
Location: Whitehall Division of Police Station, 365 S. Yearling Road
Open: 24/7/365
Secondly, the program provides a safe and convenient manner in which the citizens of Whitehall can rid their homes of expired or unneeded prescribed or over the counter drugs, many of which are controlled substances. By providing this service, drugs can be safely disposed of in a controlled manner, instead of being flushed into our water supply or tossed out in household trash. Collected drugs from this program will be disposed of in accordance with acceptable public health guidelines.
To utilize this service, citizens can simply bring their expired or unneeded drugs to the lobby of the Whitehall Division of Police, located at 365 S. Yearling Road, at any time (the lobby is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) and drop them into the secure, marked box that looks similar to a mailbox. No paperwork is required and the process is done anonymously.
No syringes or liquids of any kind may be deposited into the box. The program is only set up to accept pills, tablets and drug patches.
Police and Fire Chaplains
A new Chaplaincy Program has been recently implemented by the divisions of Police and Fire. Our team of chaplains is comprised of three pastors from the Whitehall / Columbus area who are here to serve the men and women of the two divisions as well as our citizens. Our volunteer chaplains will be on call to assist during crises or tragedies that our emergency personnel or citizens may encounter. Examples would be traumatic injuries or death, various medical emergencies, and police or fire related matters.
Meet the Chaplains
Pastor Toby CambronWestphal Avenue Baptist Churchtoby.cambron@whitehall-oh.us 614-313-5881 |
Pastor Darryl HammockRefugee Baptist Churchdarryl.hammock@whitehall-oh.us 614-783-5935 |
Rabbi Cary KozbergTemple Shalomcary.kozberg@whitehall-oh.us 614-214-3954 |
More Programs
- Block Watch
- Group Tours
- Speaker Services
- Residential and Business Security Surveys
- MedicAlert Bracelets from the Alzheimer’s Association (Free to Whitehall residents)
Division of Police Registries
Connect Whitehall Program
Connect Whitehall is a new public safety program enabling the people of Whitehall to help keep their community safe. Your participation will greatly enhance emergency preparedness by enabling police, fire, and public safety professionals to better assess and rapidly respond to criminal activity and emergency situations. It will also enable investigators to easily gather evidence in case of an incident. Connect Whitehall is a new addition to the already existing "A Safer Whitehall".
Homeowners
Register your security cameras with the Whitehall Police Department today to help identify area cameras in case of an incident. Registering your cameras does not allow the Whitehall Police Department access to your live video stream- it only enables investigators to know a camera is present at your location and easily request video evidence should an incident occur.
Business Owners
Businesses can take community security one step further by providing authorized users from the Whitehall Police Department direct access to your camera feed in case of a nearby emergency. Please contact connect@fusus.com for more information regarding Business Camera Integration.
As a resident or business owner in Whitehall, you are invited to share the details of your security cameras so that should a crime occur in your area, our detectives know immediately where to look for video footage during an investigation.
The process to register cameras is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete. You will be asked for some basic contact information and video retention time. This information provided in this form is confidential, and no one can access information without the owner's knowledge. Owners of all footage have the option of declining to provide it to the Whitehall Police Department, even when they have submitted their information to this list.
Representatives from Whitehall Police Department will contact owners to request information if needed. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe!
Do Not Knock Registry
Register here >>
Residents and businesses in Whitehall are invited to voluntarily add their address to the Do Not Knock Registry. Once you put your address on the Registry, the City will send you a sticker that you must display on or near your front door or window. If you sign up for this registry and display the sticker, peddlers or solicitors going door to door are prohibited from knocking on your door.
The Do Not Knock Registry does not apply to any person going door to door that you personally invite onto your property.
- Once you add your address to the Do Not Knock Registry, your address stays on the list until:
- City receives a notice of removal; or
- City receives notice that you are no longer residing or conducting business at that address; or
- On December 31 of the fifth full calendar year from the date that the address was submitted. (Example: If you submit your address on October 1, 2015, your address will be removed on December 31, 2020.)
If a person does knock on your door and your address is on the list, and you have the sticker displayed, please call 614-237-6333, the City’s non-emergency police line if you desire to report the violation.
For Vendors:
You are prohibited from knocking on the doors of any address that is located on the City’s Do Not Knock Registry. A current list of the Registry is available on this website.
For more information regarding solicitation permits, registration, and time restrictions, please see the table or the full statute.
Next of Kin Registry
Next of kin registration is a critical information for emergency first responders. If you would like to register next of kin information with the Division of Police, complete the next of kin registration form.
This form must be returned in person to the Whitehall Division of Police.
Premise Alert Program
The Division o fPolice and Division of Fire invite any interested households to participate in the Premise Alert Program. The premise alert form (above) provides allows community members with disabilities, special needs, or both to provide information to police, fire and EMS personnel to be kept in a database. The information provided can be used to offer guidance and assistance to public safety workers in responding to and assisting those persons with disabilities or special needs. Families, caregivers, or the person with a disability or special needs may provide this information.
All information will be kept confidential and used only to provide police, fire and EMS personnel with the information needed to deal with situations or emergencies involving a person with Special needs.
The notification expires 2 (two) years after the date it was submitted. Information must be updated every two years, or whenever the information changes. You may update or renew it at any time by re-filing the form with the Whitehall Police Department.
Please return the completed form to:
Whitehall Police Department
365 S. Yearling Road
Whitehall, Ohio 43213