Access Tonawanda Police Blotter

Tonawanda in Erie County includes both the City of Tonawanda and the Town of Tonawanda, and each has a separate police department with its own records procedures. Police blotter data, incident reports, and arrest records are held by whichever department responded to the call. This page covers how to find and request records from both the City of Tonawanda Police Department and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department. It also covers FOIL procedures and related county resources in Erie County.

Erie County Records

Tonawanda is in Erie County. County-level records from the Erie County Sheriff's Office, county courts, and the Erie County Clerk are separate from city and town police records. The Erie County Clerk is at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, (716) 858-8785. For county-level police blotter and related records, visit the Erie County page.

View Erie County Records

Tonawanda Police Departments

Two distinct departments cover Tonawanda. Knowing which one handled your incident is the first step in getting the right records.

City of Tonawanda Police Department is located at 200 Niagara Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150. The main phone is 716-692-2121 and fax is 716-692-2182. Detective Lieutenant Nicholas Kirkwood serves as the records contact at extension 306, reachable at 716-692-2102. Reports are free to victims or complainants with valid photo ID within 30 days of the report date. After 30 days, a fee may apply. FOIL requests go to the City of Tonawanda FOIL Access Officer at the same address. The City Clerk can be reached at (716) 695-8318, fax (716) 695-8315. Court dispositions are handled through the City of Tonawanda Court.

Town of Tonawanda Police Department is located at 1835 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, NY 14223. The main Town phone is (716) 877-8800. The Records Bureau maintains all Town PD records. Accident reports are available online through a portal on the town website, and you will need the complaint number given to you at the scene to access them. FOIL requests for Town police records should be sent to: Tonawanda Police Station, 1835 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, NY 14223, Attention: Police Records Access. A fillable FOIL request form is available on the town website at tonawanda.ny.us and has been downloaded thousands of times.

How to Search the Tonawanda Police Blotter

Before you start, identify which department handled the incident. City of Tonawanda addresses fall under the City PD. Town of Tonawanda addresses fall under the Town PD. If you are not sure, call both non-emergency lines and describe the incident date and location.

For City PD records, call the records contact at 716-692-2102 ext. 306 during business hours. Arrange an in-person pickup or ask whether the report can be emailed. Valid photo ID is required. Victims and complainants get reports free within 30 days. After that, fees apply. FOIL request forms from the City are available online. The form requires complaint number, incident date, report number, MV104-A number if applicable, location, and other identifying details. You indicate whether you want a hard copy or email delivery. The fee structure is $0.25 per page and $3.00 per USB drive. Emailed records are free.

For Town PD records, use the online accident report portal with your complaint number, visit the Records Bureau in person at 1835 Sheridan Drive, or submit a written FOIL request. House checks for residents away from home can be arranged by calling 879-6613 or visiting in person at 1835 Sheridan Drive.

For general blotter summaries covering recent incidents, local Erie County media often publishes weekly arrest and incident roundups for Tonawanda. These give an overview of recent police activity without requiring a formal records request.

FOIL Requests for Tonawanda Police Records

New York's Freedom of Information Law gives the public the right to access government records including police blotter data, incident reports, and arrest logs. Both Tonawanda departments follow these rules under Article 6 of the Public Officers Law.

For City of Tonawanda FOIL requests, mail or deliver the completed FOIL form to: City of Tonawanda FOIL Access Officer, 200 Niagara Street, Tonawanda, New York 14150. Indicate what you are requesting: a specific report number, a date range of incidents, arrest data, or other records. Note your preferred format (hard copy or email). The form is available online as a fillable PDF at the city website. Fees: $0.25 per page, $3.00 per USB drive, and no charge for emailed records. Some requests involving extensive research may incur additional fees under the statute. If denied, appeal within 30 days to: City of Tonawanda Appeals Officer, City Attorney, 200 Niagara Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150.

For Town of Tonawanda FOIL requests, send written requests by mail to: Tonawanda Police Station, 1835 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, NY 14223, Attention: Police Records Access. The Town follows the standard five business day acknowledgment requirement and charges $0.25 per page. Electronic copies are provided where practical. Appeals go to the Town Attorney. Downloadable FOIL forms are at tonawanda.ny.us.

For statewide FOIL guidance, visit opengovernment.ny.gov. For State Police records involving incidents on state roads through Tonawanda, submit requests at troopers.ny.gov/foil-requests.

Types of Police Blotter Records in Tonawanda

Both Tonawanda departments maintain similar categories of records. Here is a quick overview of what is typically available.

Incident reports cover all calls for service. Victims and complainants get direct access with photo ID. Others need FOIL. Reports tied to open cases may be withheld in part.

Accident reports are available in person or via the Town's online portal (Town PD). City PD accident reports are available through the Records Unit. Use the complaint number or report number when requesting. Involved parties get priority access.

Arrest records are public after charges are filed. They include the defendant's name, charge, and booking date. Juvenile arrest records are restricted by state law.

Record checks are available from the North Tonawanda PD for $20 cash per check, with valid photo ID required and up to one week processing time. City and Town PD policies on record checks may vary, so call ahead for current procedures and fees.

Blotter summaries may be posted on department websites or available on request. Check tonawandacity.com and tonawanda.ny.us for any publicly posted blotter data.

Additional Resources

The Erie County Sheriff's Office at 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202, (716) 858-7618, handles enforcement on county roads and maintains a separate records division. Their FOIL process is independent from city and town departments. The Erie County Clerk at (716) 858-8785 maintains court records and can be reached at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202.

New York State Police Troop A covers state highways in the Erie County area. For incidents on those roads, submit a FOIL request through GovQA at troopers.ny.gov/foil-requests or mail to: NY State Police, Attn: Central Record Bureau, 1220 Washington Avenue, Bldg. 22, Albany, NY 12226-2252. The State Police charge $15.00 per incident report.

For court records and case lookups, the New York State Courts website at nycourts.gov offers tools for multiple court levels. The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services publishes annual crime statistics for Erie County at criminaljustice.ny.gov. For statewide FOIL guidance, visit opengovernment.ny.gov.

Nearby Cities

Need police blotter records for nearby Erie County communities?

• Buffalo
• Amherst
• Cheektowaga
• Hamburg