Contact us: 

Main Lobby:
11000 N. La Cañada Drive

24 Hour Non-Emergency:
(520) 229-4900

Community Resources Unit:
Sun City Substation
1171 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Suite 115
(520) 229-5080
cru@orovalleyaz.gov

E-Bikes: What every parent should know

As electric bikes continue to grow in popularity, especially among children and teenagers, parents should understand that not all “e-bikes” are treated the same under Arizona law.  Brands such as Surron, Talaria, Ridstar, and other high-powered electric dirtbikes have become increasingly common on local roadways and trails.  While many are marketed as e-bikes, some actually meet the legal definition of a motorcycle under Arizona law.  Before you go and spend $1,500 on an e-bike, make sure it’s not one that requires licensing, registration, and insurance.

Arizona recognizes three classes of electric bicycles under A.R.S. § 28-819.  Class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assist only and stop providing assistance at 20 mph.  Class 2 e-bikes may use a throttle and also top out at 20 mph.  Class 3 e-bikes are pedal-assist bikes capable of speeds up to 28 mph.  State law generally allows Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on bike paths and multi-use paths, while Class 3 e-bikes are more restricted and are typically limited to roadways or bike lanes adjacent to streets.

Under Arizona law, a legal e-bike must have fully operable pedals and a motor rated under 750 watts.  Once a vehicle exceeds those limits, lacks pedals, or is capable of much higher speeds, it may no longer qualify as an e-bike.  Instead, it may legally be considered a motor-driven cycle or motorcycle requiring registration, insurance, and a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement.

The Oro Valley Police Department has seen a significant increase in juveniles operating electric dirt bikes and other non-street-legal vehicles on public roadways and multi-use paths.  Parents and riders should understand these vehicles may be stopped and impounded just like any other unlawful motor vehicle.  Riders are encouraged to know the law, wear helmets, and operate responsibly to help keep everyone safe.  Both Oro Valley and Pima County ordinances require riders under 18 to wear a properly fitted helmet while riding a bicycle or e-bike.  Arizona law also requires operators and passengers under 18 to wear helmets while operating or riding on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and electric dirt bikes.

Summer Water Safety

As the school year wraps up this week, many families will soon be spending time near water to relax, cool off, and have some fun. Whether you’re splashing in a backyard pool, floating down the Salt River, or enjoying a day at the beach, water safety should always be a top priority.

Drowning continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable death for young children in the United States.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 4.  Recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows that an average of 357 children under the age of 15 drown in pool- or spa-related incidents each year, with children ages 1 to 3 accounting for the majority of those fatalities.  In addition, approximately 6,500 children are treated in emergency rooms annually for nonfatal drowning injuries related to pools and spas.

The good news is that many of these tragedies are preventable.  As temperatures rise and families spend more time around water this summer, please keep these important water safety tips in mind:

Never leave children unattended in or near water, even for a moment.

Teach children how to swim as early as possible.

Always use the buddy system, regardless of age or swimming ability.

Install proper pool barriers, self-latching gates, covers, and alarms.  Remove above-ground pool ladders when not in use.

At gatherings, designate a responsible adult as the “Water Watcher.”  This person should avoid distractions and focus solely on supervising swimmers and calling 911 in an emergency.

Avoid roughhousing or “horseplay” around pools and other bodies of water.

Learn CPR.  Immediate action by a parent, guardian, or bystander can save a life before first responders arrive.

For additional water safety information and resources, visit PoolSafely.gov.

Preparing Your Home for Vacation

No matter how often you travel, it’s normal to have concerns about your home while you’re away.  From package theft to plumbing issues, a lot can go wrong in your absence.  Vacations are meant to be relaxing—but if you’re constantly worried about what’s happening back home, it can take away from the experience.  By taking a few steps to prepare your home before you leave, you can reduce the risk of problems like break-ins or property damage and enjoy greater peace of mind on your trip.

Here are 10 steps you can take to prepare your home for vacation:

Secure Your Home – The most important step before leaving on vacation is to secure your home.  Check all exterior doors and windows to make sure they’re locked.  Set your garage door opener to “lock” or unplug it so it can’t be opened.  Don’t hide spare keys near your door.  Close windows and blinds and remove valuables from sight.  Set exterior lights to go on automatically.

Keep an Eye on It – With surveillance cameras, you can keep an eye on what’s happening at your home in real time, no matter where you are.  Installing cameras has never been easier or more affordable.  Wireless options like Ring, Blink, Arlo and SimpliSafe are readily available in stores and online.

Timing is Everything – A home that looks occupied is less likely to become a target for crime.  Set timers on lights or TVs to give the appearance that someone is home.

Stop Mail and Deliveries – Nothing is more obvious that you’re out of town than mail or packages piling up in front of your house.  Put deliveries on hold or ask a neighbor to pick them up.

Prepare for the Elements – There’s no way to know for sure what type of weather will happen while you’re gone.  Prepare your home for the elements by securing any items that could fly away or cause damage from a gust of wind.

Protect Your Vehicle – If you’re leaving a vehicle at home while on vacation, park it in a garage where it is out of sight.  If you can’t, remove any valuables or personal items, including garage door openers.  Ask a neighbor to check on it.

Stay Energy Conscious – There’s no reason to waste energy while you’re out of town.  Set your thermostat closer to outside temperatures or turn it off completely.  Also, set your water heater thermostat to the lowest heating level.  This will both save energy and reduce wear.

Unplug Appliances – In Arizona we get some amazing thunderstorms, which can cause power outages or power surges that can damage electronics.  Before leaving for vacation, unplug anything that doesn’t need to be on, such as TVs, computers, home theater systems, etc.  Don’t leave bathroom ventilation fans running, which have been known to cause fires.

Turn off the Water – Statistics show that water leaks are more common than fires or theft.  When you’re away, a plumbing leak can really wreak havoc.  Before leaving, turn off your home’s main water valve unless your home has a fire sprinkler system or you need landscape irrigation to run while you’re away.

Call in a Favor or Go Pro – Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your home while you’re away.  If you can, hiring a house sitter is even better.  OVPD also offers a Dark House Program to monitor unoccupied homes if you’re gone for more than 14 days and don’t already have a house sitter.  Visit www.ovpd.org and search “Dark House” to learn more or register your home.

Adopt-A-Business Program

Were you aware that the Oro Valley Police Department has an Adopt-A-Business Program?  This program was created to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the local business community.  This community-oriented initiative pairs Oro Valley businesses with OVPD officers who serve as direct points of contact.  The goal is to foster open communication, provide personalized support, and build a proactive partnership to enhance safety and quality of life in Oro Valley.

Through the program, assigned officers maintain bi-weekly contact with their adopted businesses to share crime prevention tips, offer resources, and address concerns that may impact the business or surrounding area.  This ongoing interaction allows for quick resolution of issues, collaboration on community improvement efforts, and a better exchange of ideas that benefit both the business sector and the public.

Oro Valley businesses interested in participating in the Adopt-A-Business Program can contact Robin Murdock at (520) 229-4964 or rmurdock@orovalleyaz.gov.  Participation is voluntary and free, and businesses of all sizes are encouraged to get involved to help create a safer, more connected community.

Question & Answer

Have you ever wanted to ask a police officer a question but never had the opportunity to do so?  Ever wondered why a cop did what they did?  Have a question about traffic?  Here is your chance to send in your questions, and we may publish them with an answer from an officer with expertise in that area.

Patty from Oro Valley asks:  Is it legal for a vehicle to enter an intersection on a green light while waiting to make a left turn, or must drivers remain behind the stop bar until it is clear to proceed?

Answer:  Under Arizona law, it is legal for a driver making a left turn on a green light to enter the intersection and wait for a safe opportunity to complete the turn.  In fact, A.R.S. 28-772 refers to a driver “within an intersection intending to turn left,” which recognizes this common driving practice.  The driver making the left turn must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk until it is safe to proceed.

At some intersections in Tucson and other Arizona cities, pavement markings in the middle of the intersection even show drivers where to position their vehicle while waiting to turn left.  One example is along Speedway Boulevard near the University of Arizona, possibly due in part to the large number of out-of-state students and visitors in the area (photo below).

Drivers should pull forward far enough to clear the crosswalk while keeping their wheels pointed straight ahead until it is safe to turn.  Once traffic clears — even if the signal changes to yellow or red while already in the intersection — the driver should safely complete the turn and clear the intersection.

JoAnn from Oro Valley asks:  I’m from Washington State.  All of the police and other first responders there have a mechanism to activate stop lights in advance of their approach for ease of movement.  Is this something the Town of Oro Valley is considering?

Answer:  I believe the system you are referring to is called Opticom.  It was originally developed by Global Traffic Technologies in the 1960’s, and is one of the most widely used emergency vehicle preemption systems in the United States today.  The system allows emergency vehicles such as police, fire, and ambulances to change traffic lights to green as they approach an intersection.  The system uses a transmitter mounted on the emergency vehicle to communicate with a receiver on the traffic signal, helping improve response times and intersection safety.  As an emergency vehicle approaches, the strobe light on the traffic signal will begin to flash.

To answer your question, yes — the Town of Oro Valley and most first responders throughout Arizona already utilize this technology.  All traffic signals maintained by the Town of Oro Valley are equipped with Opticom receivers capable of recognizing authorized emergency vehicles.  However, not every traffic signal throughout Pima County currently has this capability installed.

In addition to traffic signals, many gated communities and private access gates in Oro Valley are also equipped with Opticom sensors or similar emergency access technology.  This allows emergency responders to quickly and safely enter neighborhoods without delay during emergencies.

Crime Statistics (February – April 2026) 

The following statistics are provided to inform citizens of criminal activity occurring in your community.