Below are some of the common questions that are asked of the officers of the Southampton Police Department.

Domestic Violence 
For information on domestic violence click here!

General Topics

• Where is the police department located?
• What are the hours of the police department?
• When is it okay to call 9-1-1?

Crimes and Noise Complaints

• I see a crime occurring, what should I do?
• How loud does a noise problem have to be before I can call the police department?
• What times of the day are considered to be inappropriate for loud noises?
• What is a trespass order and how do I get one?
• My neighbor's dog is continually barking. What can I do?

Firearms Permits and Regulations

• How do I apply for a License to Carry firearms (LTC) or Firearms Identification Card (FID)?
• I have heard that there are different kinds of pistol permits (LTC) and FID cards now, is this true?  If so, what are the differences?
• How old do I have to be to apply for an LTC or FID?
• I have heard that I have to take a safety course to apply for a LTC/FID, is this true?
• Does my FID card expire? Mine says "Indefinite until revoked" on it?
• Do I still have a 90 day grace period to renew my pistol permit when it expires?
• Do I need an FID card if I have a LTC? 

Motor vehicle questions

• How long do I have to fill out a crash form?
• Who do I send my accident report to?
• Where can I obtain a blank crash form?
• If I am stopped by a police officer for a motor vehicle violation, how long do I have to produce my license and registration?
• How long do I have to pay a citation?
• How do I pay a citation?
• How do I appeal a citation?
• How does the officer calculate the amount of a speeding ticket?
• How many days do I have to get my car inspected if I just purchased it?
• How long do I have to transfer my license plates to my newly acquired vehicle.
• What is a junior operator's license?

General Questions

.Where is the police department located?

• The police department is located at 8 East Street in the rear of the town hall. East Street is off of College Highway (Rt. 10) across from the fire department.

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What are the hours of the police department?

• The police department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Please feel free to call or stop by to speak with an officer any time.

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When is it okay to call 9-1-1?

• When there is an emergency, lives are in danger, serious injury, serious medical condition, crime in progress, or any other situation needing immediate attention.

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Crimes and Noise Complaints

I see a crime occurring, what should I do?

• You should immediately dial 9-1-1 and be observant and make observations of what is happening.  Try and notice if there are any weapons involved, how many people are committing the crime, where is the crime occurring, what the criminals look like and what they are wearing.  If there is a vehicle involved, try to see what kind of car it is, and if possible, what the license plate number is.   Most of all, try and stay calm and speak in a voice that is easily understandable when you are talking to the 9-1-1 Dispatcher.

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How loud does a noise problem have to be before I can call the police department?

• Any level of noise that a good citizen would feel that is a disturbance of his or her peace is reason to call the police department.

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• There is no set time of day that is appropriate for loud noises.  If you feel that your peace is being disturbed, call the police department and let us know.

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What is a trespass order and how do I get one?

• As stated in M.G.L. Chapter 266, Section 120 - Whoever, without right enters or remains in or upon the dwelling house, buildings, boats or improved or enclosed land, wharf, or pier of another, after having been forbidden so to do by the person who has lawful control of said premises, whether directly or by notice posted thereon, or in violation of a court order pursuant to section thirty-four B of chapter two hundred and eight or section three or four of chapter two hundred and nine A, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days or both such fine and imprisonment. This chapter and section goes on to state: A person who is found committing such trespass may be arrested by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or police officer and kept in custody in a convenient place, not more than twenty-four hours, Sunday excepted, until a complaint can be made against him for the offence, and he be taken upon a warrant issued upon such complaint.
• To summarize, if you obtain a trespass order from the police department against a person or persons, and they are found on your property at a later date, then that person or persons are subject to arrest.
• If you would like a copy of a trespass order you can obtain one at the police department, or print one from our forms page.

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My neighbor's dog is continually barking, what can I do?

• Generally, the police department does not deal with domestic animal problems. You can obtain a dog complaint form at the police department or at the Board of Selectman's Office.

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Firearms Permits and Regulations

How do I apply for a License To Carry Firearms (LTC) or Firearms Identification Card (FID)?

• You must fill out a standardized state application and come to the police department at 8 East Street to have it processed.  You can get the application at the police department or on our forms page.  You must then contact the police department to set up an appointment to have your fingerprints and photos taken.  Appointments are conducted on Wednesdays only from 1:00-2:00 pm and from 7:00-8:00 pm.

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I have heard that there are different types of pistol permits (LTC) and FID cards is this true, and if so, what are the differences?

• Yes there are now different types of pistol permits and FID cards.  There are now Class A and Class B pistol permits as well as Class C and Class D FID cards.
• A Class A permit allows the purchase, possession, and carrying of large-capacity handguns, rifles, shotguns, and feeding devices. A Class A permit is the only permit that allows a person to carry a concealed weapon.
• A Class B permit allows the purchase, possession, and carrying of non large-capacity handguns, rifles, shotguns, and feeding devices.  You may not possess any large-capacity handguns, rifles, shotguns, or feeding devices with this class of license.
• A Class C Firearms Identification Card (FID) allows the purchase and carrying of non large-capacity rifles and shotguns only.  You may not posses a large-capacity rifle or shotgun or any handgun with a Class C permit.
• Finally, Class D FID Card allows only the purchase, possession, and carrying of chemical defense sprays such as Mace^® or pepper sprays.

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How old do I have to be to apply for an LTC or FID?

• You must be 21 years or older to apply for an LTC.  For an FID card you must be 18 years or older, or 15 to 18 years old with parental consent.

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I have heard that I have to take a safety course to apply for a LTC/FID, is this true?

• If you wish to apply for a LTC and have never had an LTC or pistol permit before, then you need to complete a State of Massachusetts certified handgun safety course.
• If you wish to apply for an FID card and have never had an FID card before, then you need to complete a basic hunter's safety course.  These courses are usually conducted by the Environmental Police (Game Wardens).
• If you need to take the basic handgun safety class you can contact one of the local gun clubs.  Holyoke Revolver Club at (413) 539-9345, Westfield Sportsman Club at (413) 562-0771.These are just two suggestions, and the Southampton Police Department does not promote or endorse either class.
• If you need to attend a hunter's safety class you can contact the Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.

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Does my FID card expire?  Mine says "Indefinite Until Revoked or Suspended".

• The gun control act of 1998 eliminated all FID cards that indicated that they are indefinite until revoked or suspended. If you have one of the old style it is invalid and you must update (renew) your FID card to the new style, which will contain your photo and fingerprint. The new FID expires every 6 years just like the LTC. You may contact the Police Department to make an appointment to renew your FID card. 

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Do I still have a 90 day grace period to renew my pistol permit when it expires?

• yes, there is  a 90 day grace period when your permit expires, but only if an application for renewal has been submitted.

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Do I need an FID card if I have a LTC?

• No, your LTC covers you for all purposes that an FID card would be required.

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Motor Vehicle Questions

• You have 5 days from the date of the crash to complete your crash report.

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Who do I send my crash report to? 

• According to M.G.L Chapter 90, Sec 26 you must mail one copy of the crash to the police department of the town where the crash occurred, one copy to your insurance company, and one copy to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

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• You can obtain a blank crash form at the police department, or you can go to our forms page and download one.

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If I am stopped by a police officer for a motor vehicle violation, how long do I have to produce my license and registration? 

• According to M.G.L Chapter 90, Sec 11 the operator must always have his/her license and registration on his/her person or in some easily accessible place while driving a vehicle and must produce it upon request of a police officer. It is a civil infraction for not having your license and registration in your possession while operating a motor vehicle. However if your license and registration are in your possession and you refuse to give them to a police officer upon request by that officer, you can can be arrested for failure to submit to a police officer under M.G.L Chapter. 90, Sec. 25

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• You have 20 days from the date you received the citation to pay the citation.

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• To pay by mail:  Check box number one on the back of the citation and make check or money order payable to "Registry of Motor Vehicles" please write the citation number, your driver's license number and state of issue on your payment. Do not send cash. If your check is returned unpaid, you will be subject to driver license or registration suspension/revocation and substantial penalties. Place your payment and the citation in the envelope provided and mail to: 

Citation Processing Center
Registry of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 199125
Boston, Ma 02119-9125

• To pay by phone: call (617) 351-4500 or 800-858-3926 (508,413 & 978 area codes only) 9am - 7pm. Have your citation number and MasterCard^® or Visa^® ready.
  

• To pay on the Internet go to: http://www.state.ma.us/rmv
  Have your citation number and MasterCard^® or Visa^® ready.

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• You have 20 days from the date you received the citation to appeal it.

• Check box number two on the back of the citation and mail the citation in the envelope provided to:

Citation Processing Center
Registry of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 199125
Boston, Ma 02119-9125 

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• The method in which a speeding fine is calculated is as follows:  Any violation of the speed limit up to 10 M.P.H. over the posted limit is a $50.00 fine.  For each additional  1 M.P.H. over the posted limit an additional $10.00 is added to the fine.  In addition, a $50.00 additional fine is included, with the money to go towards the Head Injury fund.
• As an example, a motor vehicle operator that was traveling 53 M.P.H. in a posted 30 M.P.H. zone would receive a citation for $230.00; $50.00 for the original speeding violation, $130.00 additional dollars for exceeding the limit by 23 M.P.H., and the $50.00 fee for the Head Injury fund.

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• You have (7) seven days from the date of registration of your new vehicle.
• For more information follow the link below: http://www.state.ma.us/rmv/regs/reg2.htm 

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• You have seven days that you can attach your old license plates to a new vehicle before you must have your new vehicle registered.  However, the only legal way to put your old plates on your new vehicle is if you no longer have possession of the vehicle that the old license plates came from.
• For more information follow the link below: http://www.state.ma.us/rmv/regs/reg2.htm 

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• For information on the Junior Operator's License see our legal updates page.

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