Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where are you located?
2. What are your hours?
3. Where do I pay a traffic ticket?
4. Where do I pay a parking ticket?
5. Can the South Gate Police Department sign off my fix-it ticket?
6. How do I get a copy of an accident or crime report?
7. If I have a criminal record, how do I get a copy of my record?
8. How do I get my vehicle out of impound?
9. Can I get aclearance letter for the Immigration and Naturalization Service?
10. Does the South Gate Police Department provide fingerprinting services?
11. Are visits allowed with prisoners in the South Gate City Jail?
12. To Contest a Parking Citation?
1. Where are you located?
The South Gate Police Department is located at 8620 California Avenue, South Gate, CA 90280. The building is next to City Hall and the old Court building.
2. What are your hours?
The South Gate Police Department is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day for emergencies. The front desk is open from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. daily.
3. Where do I pay a traffic ticket?
All traffic citations may be paid at the Huntington Park Superior Court Courthouse, 6548 Miles Ave, Huntington Park, CA 90255. You may also pay or search citations on their website, www.lasuperiorcourt.org. Follow the prompts from the left column under "Traffic Tickets."
If you have a photo-enforcement (Red Light Camera) citation, you may view the video at the Police Department Monday - Thursday, from 8:30 AM until 5:30 PM. No appointment is necessary but it is preferred you call first to ensure the Sergeant or his secretary is in the office. You may also view your own video online for sixty days after the violation at www.photonotice.com. Enter the letters "SGT" where it asks for the city code. For more information call 323-563-5493.
4. Where do I pay a parking Ticket?
Parking citations may be paid at the Police Department or mailed to:
City of South Gate
Parking Enforcement Center
PO Box 57010
Irvine,CA 92619-7010
You may also protest a parking citation by calling 877-237-3075 and following the menu prompts.
5. Can the South Gate Police Department sign off my fix-it ticket?Violations that are noted as "correctable" on a citation can be signed off by an inspection officer at the South Gate Police Department. A fee for correction sign-off is charged. Correctable citations must be inspected and signed off within 21 days of the date of issue. After the 21st day, the citation is no longer correctable, and the owner must pay the original bail. In addition to the fee charged for inspection, the owner is also responsible for the $10 reduced fine as noted on the ticket. The inspection fee is separate from the ticket fine.
6. How do I get a copy of an accident or crime report?
In order to obtain a copy of an accident report, you must be one of the parties interest therein. This is included, but not limited to the driver or drivers involved, or the guardian or conservator thereof, the parent of a minor driver or the authorized representative of the driver or any named person injured by the accident. In order to obtain a crime report, you must be the victim of the crime. This does not apply to records that are being sought via subpoena. You must appear in person at the police department. A small fee will be charged. Photo identification is required.
7. If I have a criminal record, how do I get a copy of my record?
The State of California Department of Justice has your criminal record information. You must provide them your fingerprints and pay a fee. An information sheet is available at the police department's front counter. Additionally, if you were arrested as a juvenile, you may receive a copy of your arrest report. Adult arrest reports must be subpoenaed. However, you may review your local records at the police department with proper identification.
8. How do I get my vehicle out of impound?
You must first come to the Police Department to obtain a vehicle release. The vehicle can be released only to the registered owner, who must possess a valid California driver's license. The vehicle must be currently registered. Regular impound releases are $108, vehicles impounded for Driving Under the Influence are $356. Only cash is accepted for impound fees. After you obtain the vehicle release, you will be directed to the towing company that has your vehicle. The tow yard will charge it's own storage fees. Photo identification is required and a person with a valid drivers license must be present. The following towing companies are used in rotation; Walts Tow: 323-566-6196, United Motor: 323-566-6400, and Mr. C's: 323-249-0575.
9. How can I get a criminal clearance letter for the Immigration and Naturalization Service?
If you are currently a resident of the City of South Gate or have lived in the City, the South Gate Police Department will do a local criminal history search on you within our city jurisdiction only. If there is no criminal history on you within our jurisdiction, a letter will be made indicating to the INS that there is no adverse information found on you. There is an administrative fee for the letter, which must be paid by cash, check or money order only.
10. Does the South Gate Police Department provide fingerprinting services?
The Police Department no longer provides public fingerprinting services. However, you can find a public fingerprinting site by going to http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm.
11. Are visits allowed with prisoners in the South Gate City Jail?
Prisoner visitations are at the discretion of the Watch Commander. Please call the Jail at 323-563-5492 to find out if visitation can be accomodated. For information on prisoners housed at County jail, go to http://app4.lasd.org/iic/ajis_search.cfm.
12. To contest a parking citation, visit the South Gate Police Department Traffic Bureau located at 8620 California Ave., South Gate, CA 90280 or call 323-563-5493. It is preferable you protest a citation in writing by submitting a letter of protest to the Police Department address, attention Sergeant Underwood. Forms for this purpose may also be obtained at the Police Department front counter. Mail to 8620 California Ave, South Gate, CA 90280