Frequently Asked Questions

For anything related to a crime that is occurring now or any other emergency, call 911. If in doubt, be safe and call 911. For non-emergency reports, suspicious activity, or requests, call the non-emergency number for your area. To see a list of these numbers, click here.

The Sheriff's Office will respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to any request for police assistance. We always have deputies on the road, so there may not be personnel available at your local District Office. For a list of our non-emergency phone numbers, click here. We will send someone to your house or business when you call.

Some reports can be taken over the phone. The telecommunicator who answers your call will determine if your report can be handled over the phone.

No. You may make a missing person report whenever you realize someone is missing.

Yes. The Sheriff's Office depends on citizens calling to report crimes or suspicious activity. The receiving officer who takes your call will ask questions about the activity to determine its nature. The officer also will ask for descriptions of the people involved. You will be asked for your name and address, but you may decline to give this information and a deputy still will respond. For a list of our non-emergency phone numbers, click here.

Call the Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit to request increased traffic patrol in your area. Click here for the phone numbers.

Yes. Do not try to pursue a drunk driver or place yourself in any danger. When you call, you will be asked for a description of the car, its location and direction.

Telecommunicators are trained to get as much information as possible to determine the nature of the problem and its seriousness. On emergency calls, help is already on the way while the telecommunicator continues gathering information.

If a person is injured in an accident and unable to call, the police agency handling the accident will notify the family. Many traffic crashes in Volusia County are handled by the Florida Highway Patrol or municipal police departments. You may call the Sheriff's Office, local office of the Florida Highway Patrol or the appropriate city police department for information.

Call the Volusia County Branch Jail booking office at (386) 254-1540 or click here for more information.

Visit our Records Section for information or to file a public records request.

Call the district office or the deputy who took your report. Please have your case number and the deputy or detective's name available, if possible. For a list of these numbers, click here.

You may obtain information and application packets at the Volusia Sheriff's Office District, Operations or Administration offices. You also may contact the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Licensing at (850) 245-5691 for an information packet and application forms.

This question and others regarding firearms in the State of Florida are answered in the Florida Firearms Guide. A copy of the laws relating to firearms is included in each concealed weapons application packet.

Deputies cannot provide rides. For information on VOTRAN, Volusia County's public bus system, click here.

All requests for police service are prioritized based on the seriousness of the incident and the potential for injury or damage to property. At times, calls of a less urgent nature must be delayed so that deputies can respond immediately to emergencies.

The police only can tow vehicles abandoned on public property. If it is on public property, the vehicle may be towed by a wrecker. In accordance with Florida State Statute, cost of such removal will be a lien against the motor vehicle. If it is on private property, the property owner must arrange with a wrecker service for the vehicle's removal. You should know that state law has certain restrictions the property owner must follow in these cases.

Eviction is a civil legal process requiring a court order. If you need advice about your specific legal situation, you should contact a lawyer. For information about the status of your case, or general information about evictions, call the Civil Section. For a list of these telephone numbers, click here.

Volusia County Animal Services is the agency responsible for calls involving dogs, cats and other animals in unincorporated Volusia County. For more information, click here.

Because of the potential for damage to vehicles, the Sheriff's Office does not open locked vehicles. A locksmith is your best alternative. If a child is locked inside the vehicle, call 911. The Fire Department will send a rescue unit to remove the child from the vehicle, possibly by breaking a window.

The Sheriff's Office delivers only messages involving an emergency or life or death situations.

You may call your local district office or the Communications Center and request an extra patrol/property check. The information will be passed on to the deputies who patrol your neighborhood. While the Sheriff's Office cannot "watch" your house 24/7, patrol deputies will try to check on it regularly. 

Check out our available job postings at volusiasheriff.gov/careers

Authentic police officers and departments in this county, including the Volusia Sheriff's Office, do not solicit funds over the telephone. If you are contacted by anyone claiming to represent such an organization, please be careful. If you are not familiar with it, you may wish to ask the solicitor to send you information on the charity by mail. Never give your credit card number to anyone over the phone.