Patrol Bureau Program

The Patrol Bureau Program is a Field Operations program. It is staffed by Regular and Reserve Officers. Employees assigned to the Patrol Bureau work regularly scheduled shifts, in uniform, and are responsible for providing a wide range of law enforcement and police traffic services to members of the community’s residential neighborhoods and commercial business districts.

Dispatch Center

The Atwater Police Dispatchers are trained professionals who perform both traditional and non-traditional tasks. Atwater Police Dispatchers have evolved into a problem-oriented police-dispatching unit. As a model for the Dispatch Community, our skilled professionals have added new dimensions to the characteristics of dispatching.

IMPORTANT – READ CAREFULLY

YOU MAY PAY BY MAIL OR BY GOING TO:  www.CitationProcessingCenter.com

IF YOU MAKE PAYMENT BY MAIL, SEND THE PROPER AMOUNT OF PENALTY IN MONEY ORDER, CASHIER’S CHECK OR PERSONAL CHECK, PAYABLE TO: CITY OF ATWATER. DO NOT SEND CASH! ENCLOSE THE NOTICE OF PARKING VIOLATION WITH YOUR PAYMENT AND/OR PROOF OF CORRECTION(S). WRITE YOUR CITATION NUMBER ON YOUR PAYMENT.

MAIL TO:      CITY OF ATWATER

                        C/ O CITATION PROCESSING CENTER

                        P. O. BOX 10479

                        NEWPORT BEACH, CA  92658-0479

INQUIRIES AND PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE ONLINE AT www.CitationProcessingCenter.com OR BY CALLING (800) 989-2058.

TO RESPOND TO THE CITATION:

The registered owner, lessee, or person responsible for the vehicle cited shall within 21 days of issuance, either:

1. Pay the parking penalty, or

• The registered owner or lessee of the vehicle may submit a written appeal online at www.CitationProcessingCenter.com or mail your appeal with any supporting information to the address as noted above.  Your payment or appeal request must be received within 21 days of the citation date. Submitted documents will not be returned.

THERE WILL BE A $46.00 SERVICE CHARGE FOR ALL RETURNED CHECKS.

WARNING:  IGNORING THE TIME LIMITS OF THIS NOTICE SHALL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE ACTION IN THE FORM OF ADDITIONAL PENALTIES AND AN EVENTUAL LIEN HOLD BEING PLACED ON YOUR VEHICLE REGISTRATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.  VEHICLES WITH FIVE (5) OR MORE CITATIONS WILL BE IMPOUNDED OR IMMOBILIZED PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 22651(i)(1) AND 22651.7. A VEHICLE THAT HAS EXPIRED REGISTRATION IN EXCESS OF 6 MONTHS IS ALSO SUBJECT TO IMPOUND.

An indigent payment plan is available for qualifying low-income individuals. For more information visit www.CitationProcessingCenter.com or call 800-989-2058.

CORRECTABLE VIOLATIONS:  CVC SECTION(S) 4000(a)(1), 5200, and 5204 require vehicle inspection and evidence of violation correction.  Evidence of correction may be obtained at any police agency which provides such service.

CORRECT EQUIPMENT VIOLATIONS IMMEDIATELY!

Low Income Payment Plans

California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 40220 allows for installment payments of parking citations for qualifying low-income individuals who apply within 120 days from the issuance of a notice of parking violation, or within 10 days after an administrative hearing determination, whichever is later. Once a citation is enrolled in this program, it is no longer eligible for appeal pursuant to an Administrative Review or Hearing.

Parking citation late fees and penalty assessments (“Late Fees”) are removed at time of enrollment in the payment plan in accordance with CVC Section 40220. Late Fees are reinstated if the payment plan is not completed. Also, DMV registration holds and Franchise Tax Board tax intercepts will not be implemented, and

/ or will be removed during the payment plan, subject to its satisfactory completion. If the payment plan is not satisfactorily completed, then such remedies may be invoked.

Who may qualify for a payment plan:

Only the Registered Owner or Lessee of the vehicle for which the citation was issued may enroll in a Payment Plan. To qualify, you must meet the requirements of CVC Section 40220 by either being “Low Income” or receiving qualifying “Public Benefits”, as explained in further detail below.

“Public Benefits” are defined in Government Code (GC) Section 68632(a) and include, but are not limited to, public benefits under one or more of the following programs: CalWORKs (or Tribal TANF), Supplemental Security Income and State Supplementary Payment, Supplemental Nutrition or California Food Assistance Program, County Relief, General Relief or General Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Legal Immigrants, In-Home Supportive Services, and Medi-Cal.

“Low Income” is defined as any applicant 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. See Chart below for current income thresholds.

Please note that if your vehicle is currently booted, towed or impounded, you are not eligible for enrollment in a payment program (subject to the citations being outside of the above referenced application deadlines).

How to enroll in a payment plan:

If you are either Low Income and/or the recipient of Public Benefits, you must fully complete and sign an application form to enroll in a payment plan. You are only entitled to enroll in a payment plan once for any specific parking citation(s). Subject to the timing requirements, you may enroll in additional payment plans for any citation(s) which were not previously included in a payment plan. You can obtain an application either online or in-person. To obtain an application online click here. To obtain an application in person visit the City of Atwater, 750 Bellevue Road, Atwater, CA 95301.

Applications can be mailed to the “City of Atwater Enforcement Processing Center” P.O. Box 3214, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3214.

You must also submit documentation along with your application verifying that you are Low Income or receive qualifying Public Benefits; examples of acceptable documents are explained below. Once your application is complete, you may mail the application and supporting documents to the “City of Atwater Enforcement Processing Center” P.O. Box 3214, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3214. Lastly, a non-refundable administrative fee of

$5 is due upon enrollment. Information regarding payment of the non-refundable fee can be found on the low- income payment plan application. There you can also elect to include this fee to the payment plan by checking the appropriate box on your application form.

Please note that if your status as either Low Income and/or as the recipient of Public Benefits is found to have been willfully fraudulent, the reduction of your fines and fees will be overturned and the full amount of any fines and fees will be restored.

What Documentation/Proof needs to be submitted along with the application:

• Public Benefits - Acceptable forms of proof include true copies of an electronic benefits transfer card or another card, and/or other documentation that confirms your receipt of qualifying Public Benefits under one or more of the following programs: CalWORKs (or Tribal TANF), Supplemental Security Income and State Supplementary Payment, Supplemental Nutrition or California Food Assistance Program, County Relief, General Relief or General Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Legal Immigrants, In-Home Supportive Services, and Medi-Cal.
• Low Income - Acceptable forms of proof of Low Income include true copies of a recent pay stub or another form of proof of earnings, such as a bank statement or financial statement, and/or other documentation that demonstrates that your income is 125 percent or less than the current income thresholds identified in the Chart above.

Payment Plan Approval:

If your application for a payment plan is approved and you qualify for the payment plan, you will automatically be enrolled in the payment plan and a follow-up communication will provide you detailed payment information and terms. If your application is incomplete or is otherwise rejected, you will be notified. If for any reason you wish to revoke your application or cancel your payment plan, you may notify us at any time.

Information about payments and duration of the payment plan:

The City of Atwater is not required to provide any invoices, payment reminders, or notification of late or insufficient payments. It is your sole responsibility to ensure payments are made timely and in the proper amounts. All payments must be received by the due date. Plan participants are encouraged to set up their own payment reminders. Helpful tips include: taking a photo of your payment plan agreement, setting regular reminders in your calendar, and telling a family member or friend who helps you with your finances.

Minimum monthly payments are due no later than the 1st or 15th of each month as identified in your plan approval letter.

There are no prepayment penalties and you may voluntarily make excess payments. However, any overpayments will not relieve you of the obligation to make the mandated monthly payment(s) in full each month until such time that entire payment amount is paid in full and the payment plan is completed. If at any time you have questions about the remaining balance due, final payment amounts, or anything else related to your payment plan, please call our customer service staff at the number above.

How to submit payments under a payment plan:

By Mail: Send check or money order payable to the “City of Atwater Enforcement Processing Center” P.O. Box 3214, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3214. Reference the payment plan number and license plate on the check/money order.

Payment Plan Default:

If you default on your payment plan you will have 45 days from Notice of Payment Default to make the missed payment and otherwise bring or keep your payment plan payment(s) current. Failure to do so will result in you being removed from the payment plan. After this one-time 45-day extension expires, you will not be provided any further extensions or notices, and any additional late or insufficient payments or other forms of default will result in immediate removal from the payment plan. Removal from the payment plan could result in: (i) any fees and penalties that had been waived as part of the payment plan being added back to the amount due, and (ii) vehicle registration holds or other potential consequences as permitted by law.

If you have any questions about payment plans, please contact our customer service staff at 877-236-2954.

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Release of Vehicles

All impounded vehicles, stored vehicles, and recovered stolen vehicles require a vehicle release form from the Records Department. Vehicle information will not be released over the phone. If you wish to ask questions regarding a stored vehicle you will have to appear in person and establish that you are the registered owner of the vehicle. This will require valid identification with a picture on the card, military identification, passport.

Vehicles impounded will only be released to the registered owner. If you are not the registered owner, you will need to obtain a notarized letter authorizing release of the vehicle to you. The registered owner will need to identify you and the vehicle in the notarized letter. The letter must include your driver’s license number, description of the car (make, model, year) and either the vehicle license plate number or vehicle identification (VIN) number.

The Atwater Police Department will not charge a fee to those persons retrieving a vehicle that has been stolen and recovered. There is a $282.00 release fee required for all impounded vehicles and due to the Atwater Police Department. All towing and storage fees are due to the towing company storing your vehicle. All registration fees on impounded vehicles must be current prior to release. Impound/stored vehicles will only be released during normal business hours – Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

The owner of an impounded vehicle has the right to a Post Storage Hearing. Please contact the Atwater Police Department, Records Bureau at 209-357-6384 hearings are conducted Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 1 PM.

For further assistance or questions regarding the release of impounded vehicles or recovered stolen vehicles, please contact Records at 209-357-6384.