Records Section
Accident/Incident Reports $0.15 Per Page: Police reports are available to the public, consistent with the State of Tennessee Public Records Laws. If you are involved in a crash, you can obtain a copy of the report within the first 60-days by filling out a Crash Report Affidavit. Crash reports are also available online: ONLINE CRASH REPORTS. Your ten-digit case number and Tennessee Driver's License number are required to access the reports on the website. Some crash reports are not available via the website. Crash reports are available to the public after 60 days without a waiver.
URGENT
NEW LAW REGARDING
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT/CRASH REPORTS
There has been some confusion regarding 2019 Public Chapter 11, which makes some personally identifying information contained in crash reports confidential. The premise of the new law is to protect certain personally identifying information meaning that if your neighbor or the local chiropractor was not involved in the crash/accident, then they cannot get an un-redacted copy of your accident report without your permission. Prior to this new law going into effect on July 1, anyone could get a copy of any and all accident reports which included your address, telephone number and insurance information.
According to the new statute Public Chapter 11, the following personal identifying information should be redacted as it now confidential: any street addresses and zip codes, telephone numbers, driver's license numbers, and insurance information.
The following may receive an un-redacted copy of the motor vehicle accident report: any person named in the report and a legal representative, attorney for a person named in the report, or the person's agent (such as an insurance company).
Any federal, state, or local governmental agency or any private person or entity acting on behalf of the federal, state, or local governmental agency may use the personally identifying information in carrying out the agency's functions (Carfax, Lexis Nexis, etc.). Nothing prevents a law enforcement entity from releasing information about traffic accidents to the public, to include the name, age and county or city of residence of those persons involved in the accident when determined for the best interest of the agency and the public good. Statute provides penalties for violations to the law.
In short, any party to the crash (named on the crash report), can receive an un-redacted copy of the report. In addition, the lawyer or agent for any named party can receive an un-redacted copy of the report once he or she certifies that they have the permission of the named party. Anyone else that asks for a copy of an accident report, including the media or a citizen, should receive a redacted copy.
The Office of Open Records Counsel for the state of Tennessee has opined that as long as the third-party can verify they are acting on behalf of the insurance company, or some other entity authorized to obtain motor vehicle record information pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-25-107(b)(1), (6) or (9), they are entitled to an un-redacted copy of the report.
Fingerprinting $5 Per Card/$2 Each Additional Card: Fingerprinting $5 Per Card/$2 Each Additional Card: Fingerprinting is available to the public at the Police Department located at 1004 N. Highland Avenue, Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please contact Angelo Medina at (629) 201-5520 or email 0348@murfreesborotn.gov.
DUE TO COVID-19, MPD IS NOT PROVIDING FINGERPRINTING FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT THIS TIME.
Alarm Permits
Class I Permits
Class I permits are monitored by an alarm company or connected by automatic dialer to anyone other than the Police Department. Class I permits are valid for three years and must be renewed thereafter at a cost of $30.
Class II Permits
Class II permits are non-monitored alarms that are audible and/or visible at the protected premises only. Class II permits are valid for three years and must be renewed thereafter at a cost of $25.
Alarm Permit Stickers
When holders receive an alarm permit, they are also issued an alarm permit sticker, which is to be placed on a door window, the storm door, or a window in the front of the residence or business. If a permit holder moves to another location in the city limits of Murfreesboro before the current permit expires, this permit can be transferred free of charge. Thirty days prior to the expiration of the permit, an alarm renewal notice, along with an application, will be mailed to the alarm holder. It may be returned with payment by mail.
Relocation
If a permit holder moves before the expiration of the existing alarm permit, and the new location is within the city limits of Murfreesboro and equipped with an alarm system, we will transfer your permit free of charge through the original permit expiration date. In order to transfer the permit, you will need to remove the sticker from your window and mail it, along with a statement as to your change of address, to:
Murfreesboro Police Department
1004 N. Highland Ave.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Attn: Donna Smith
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
629-201-5590
Email: 0509@murfreesborotn.gov
Your permit is transferable only from location to location. It is not transferable from one resident to another resident or one business to another business.
False Alarms
On initial (new) permits only, there will be a 10 day grace period on false alarms. This means any false alarm requiring a Murfreesboro Police Department response will not be charged to the permit holder.
The false alarm fiscal year is the period beginning with the date of permit issuance and ending the month from date of issuance for one year. Example: Your permit date of issuance is March 1; your fiscal year will be March 1 through March 31, and on April 1 your false alarm account balance will be reset to zero.
False Alarm Exceptions
False alarm means any activation of an alarm system that results in a communication to the city an alarm has been activated, with the exception of alarms resulting from one of the following causes:
- Criminal activity or unauthorized criminal entry if the communication has been made to the police department
- The presence of excessive heat, smoke, or fire if the communication has been made to the fire department
- Earthquake causing structural damage to the protected premises
- Tornadic winds causing structural damage to the protected premises
- Flooding of the protected premises due to the overflow of natural drainage
- A lightning bolt causing physical damage to the protected premises
- A telephone line malfunction, if verified in writing by a telephone company supervisor
Any questions regarding alarm permits can be directed to Donna Smith in the Alarms Enforcement Section at 629-201-5590, or email: 0509@murfreesborotn.gov Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Alarming the Police Department
These are some suggested times when your alarm company may have to call the police department, and these may include but not be limited to:
- When the alarm company contacts a location after an activation and the holder or authorized person cannot give them the correct code or password.
- If an alarm activates and the alarm company calls and there is no answer.
- If an alarm activates because of a distress or panic signal, then the alarm company will call the Police Department.
If your alarm system activates, you will receive a false alarm letter in the mail stating the date and time of the alarm. The letter will also state the number of false alarms and if any payment is due. There is a false alarm fine schedule at the bottom of the page of the false alarm letter. If you have any questions regarding false alarms, please feel free to contact our office.
False Alarm Fine Schedule for Police Response
- 1 to 3 - No charge
- 4 to 19 - $25 each
- 20 or more - $25 each plus a citation to City Court
False Alarm Fine Schedule for Fire Response
- 1 to 3 - No charge
- 4 to 9 - $25 each
- 10 or more - $25 each plus a citation to City Court
If any of your contacts should change, we would request notification of these changes within 10 days.
The application for an alarm permit may be downloaded here. It must be completed and returned along with payment to 1004 N. Highland Ave Murfreesboro, TN 37130.