City Of Tonawanda Police Department

To the Community:

Thank you everyone for joining us on National Night Out and making it a success. We can't wait to see you all again next year!

Interested in becoming a City of Tonawanda Police Officer? Sign up for our upcoming exam!

Already taking a Police Officer Exam this day? Make sure you cross file with our department!

National Night Out, Tuesday August 6th 5:30pm until 8:00pm at the City of Tonawanda Police Station, 200 Niagara Street.

SRO Kraft visited and joined the Stanley Falk School students today in a 716 day celebration!

The City of Tonawanda Police Officer Examination registration period has NOW OPENED! The deadline for filing is August 31st 2024, and the examination will be held September 28th 2024. Stop down at the City of Tonawanda Civil Service Office for more information.

City Of Tonawanda Police
Child Safety Seat Check
June 15th, 9am-11:30am
Police Station Parking Lot
200 Niagara Street

Come by to have your child safety seats checked by our Certified Child Safety Seat Technicians!

Yesterday, 6/5/2024, the City of Tonawanda Police Department had a swearing in ceremony for P.O. David Ayler. P.O. Ayler comes to the City of Tonawanda from The University of Buffalo Police Department where he served for nearly 5 years. Welcome to the City of Tonawanda Police Department Officer Ayler! (Pictured from left - Capt. Ulmer, Chief Clontz, P.O. Ayler and Capt. Butcher)

Congratulations to Officer Will and his family. Thank you for your service to our country and the City of Tonawanda. 

The May Veteran of the Month recognition encompassed a family of Veterans last night. It was my great honor to posthumously recognize Clarence “Bubby” Will, a WWII Veteran of the United States Army in the 78th Lighting Div. of the 303 Combat Engineers from August 1942 until November 1945. Born and raised in the City of Tonawanda, Clarence was the recipient of 3 Purple Heart Medals and an Oakleaf Cluster. Other medals earned include the American Service Medal, European-African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.

Following in his father’s military footsteps, Thomas Will, son of Clarence and Dorothy (nee DeGrechie) Will, Honorably Served our Country with the United States Marine Corps. from 1979 to 1987. After Basic Training, Thomas went on to Okinawa, Japan for Jungle Training and attended Sniper School. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 8th Tanks 2nd Marine Division serving a Tour of Duty in Nicaragua and a Tour in Iran. Honorably Discharged in 1987, Thomas was awarded the Rifle Expert Badge. Born and raised in the City of Tonawanda, Thomas and his wife, the former Laurie Kenyon raised their 3 sons here in the city. Thomas operates Buffalo Choppers and The Gun Locker and continues to assist with the Toys for Tots Program he began participating in during his Marine Corps. Service.

Third generation descendant Thomas Will, Jr. (T.J.), joined the United States Marine Corps. after graduation from Tonawanda High School in 2012. Following Boot Camp and Infantry School, TJ was assigned to India Co. 3 Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment out of the 4th Marine Division in Buffalo, NY. During TJ’s 8 years of Service, he quickly ascended through the Ranks, receiving numerous Letters of Commendation and Meritorious Masts for his performance as an Automatic Rifleman, Team Leader & Squad Leader. While stationed at the Reserve Center in Buffalo, NY, TJ served as Assistant Armorer and Funeral Detail Team Member. While on Active Duty, he completed close to 200 Funeral Honors for fallen brothers and sisters in the United States Marine Corps., and like his father, Thomas, Sr., TJ led the Toys for Tots Program for 2 consecutive years. Honorably Discharged in January 2020 as Acting 1st Seargent, TJ was hired by the City of Tonawanda Police Department and serves his community in many capacities including being a member of the T-NT SWAT Team. Again, following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps, TJ married his high school sweetheart, Kayla LoGrasso and are the parents of 2 delightful little boys.

Clarence, Tom and TJ, the City of Tonawanda thanks you for your Honorable & Dedicated Service to our Country and Community!!

No matter what type of vehicle you drive, one of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up.

As you head out around the Memorial Day holiday, you'll likely see more law enforcement on the roads as part of Click It or Ticket. This campaign, from May 20 - June 2, reminds drivers and their passengers of the importance of buckling up and the legal consequences – including fines – for not wearing a seat belt.

Yesterday, 5/13/2024 Chief Clontz and Captain Ulmer attended the Annual Police Memorial Service in Buffalo, to honor fallen officers.

Chief Clontz and Captain Ulmer presented a wreath honoring fallen City of Tonawanda Patrolman Charles F. Roof (End of Watch: 1950)

Congratulations to Officer Stachura on being awarded the City of Tonawanda’s 2024 STOP DWI Award presented by Erie County STOP DWI.

No Empty Chair Campaign

The “No Empty Chair” teen driving safety education and enforcement campaign raises awareness of highway dangers in the hope there will be no empty chairs during prom and graduation season.

The 2024 statewide campaign is from Monday, April 22 to Friday, April 26. To help educate teens about safe driving, state and local law enforcement agencies that have School Resource Officers (SROs) or a presence at high schools are encouraged to conduct outreach during this campaign and throughout the prom and graduation season.

In addition to educating students about safe driving, state and local law enforcement increase patrols near local high schools throughout the state, and officers are vigilant in enforcing violations of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law. The GDL is intended to provide time for young drivers to gain critical experience in various traffic scenarios in a safe and controlled manner.

The enforcement component of the campaign targets specific infractions statewide during the week, as well as other vehicle and traffic law violations.

The target dates for 2024 are as follows:

Monday, April 22, 2024 – Speeding in School Zones
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 – Seat Belt and Child Restraints
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 – Cell Phone Use and Texting
Thursday, April 25, 2024 – Operation Safe Stop
Friday, April 26, 2024 - Underage Drinking and Impaired Driving

The City of Tonawanda Police Department hosted the 1st Annual Police Department Awards Dinner on March 15th to recognize officers on their accomplishments over the last year.

Officers are nominated by their coworkers and reviewed by a committee composed of the Chief of Police and an officer of each rank.

Awards presented by the Chief of Police are as follows:

Officer Stachura: Award of Excellence for DWI Enforcement and Most Arrests
Officer Washburn: Award of Excellence for Traffic Enforcement and a Life Saving Citation
Officer Warthling: Award of Excellence for Parking Enforcement and a Life Saving Citation
Detective Gallivan: Investigation of the Year
Detective Lieutenant Kirisits: Officer of the Year
Officer Rogers: Chiefs Award
Dispatcher Licata: Public Safety Dispatcher Award of Excellence

Notice - Parking and Traffic Information relating to the Solar Eclipse

At this time there are no scheduled road closures. In the event the City of Tonawanda receives a large congestion of vehicles and pedestrians around Niawanda Park, Niagara Street may be closed from Bouck Street to Two Mile Creek Road.

In order to reduce the risk of traffic congestion around Niawanda Park during the Solar Eclipse and the days leading up to, The City of Tonawanda Police will be restricting parking and posting "NO PARKING" signs on the following streets:

Niagara Street - North side from Bouck Street to Gibson Street
Bouck Street - Both sides from Niagara Street to Adam Street
Bouck Street - East side from Adam Street to Fletcher Street
Kohler Street - Both sides from Niagara Street to Adam Street
Kohler Street - East side from Adam Street to Fletcher Street
Franklin Street - Both sides from Niagara Street to Adam Street
Franklin Street - East side from Adam Street to Fletcher Street
Wheeler Street - Both sides from Niagara Street to Adam Street
Wheeler Street - East side from Adam Street to Fletcher Street
Gibson Street - Both sides from Niagara Street to Adam Street
Gibson Street - East side from Adam Street to Fletcher Street
Hinds Street - Both sides from Niagara Street to Adam Street
Hinds Street - East side from Adam Street to Fletcher Street
Adam Street - South side from Bouck Street to Veterans Park
Broad Street - South side from Bouck Street to Hinds Street
Morgan Street - South side from Bouck Street to Hinds Street
Fletcher Street - South side from Hinds Street to Two Mile Creek Road

Posting of No Parking signs will be done late tonight, Thursday 4/4/2024 and will remain in effect until the evening of Monday 4/8/2024.

Enforcement of these parking restrictions will begin at 07:00 AM on Friday 4/5/2024.

In addition, Niawanda Park and Veterans Park will be closed to vehicular traffic starting Friday 4/5/2024.

Thank you
City of Tonawanda Police Department

CITY OF TONAWANDA POLICE DETECTIVES ARE LOOKING TO IDENTIFY THE BELOW INDIVIDUAL

City of Tonawanda Police are looking to identify the below individual in regard to an incident on Young Street. The subject was last seen Wednesday March 27th 2024 near Young Street and the Twin City Highway.

If you recognize this person or have any information related to this incident, call the City of Tonawanda Police Detective Bureau at 716-692-2121 ext. 310. Reference Complaint #24-004525

School Resource Officer David Kraft just completed a two week DARE Officer training course in Montour Falls. Today he graduated and was presented with the John Jantzen Award for Excellence, presented to one DARE Officer for their outstanding efforts and performance during the training course. The award recognizes the exceptional commitment, dedication and vision of the individual Officer. Congratulations Officer Kraft.

Request for Identification

The City of Tonawanda Police Department is attempting to identify the individual pictured below in reference to Complaint #24-001216, an incident that occurred in the City of Tonawanda. If you have any information, you are asked to contact the City of Tonawanda Police Department at (716) 692-2121 ext 310.

***Disclaimer***
When the City of Tonawanda Police Department posts a request for information, we deliberately keep specific facts of the case undisclosed as to conform to existing law. Also, we purposely use generic terms, such as “person of interest”, as to not inadvertently place culpability upon the person that we are trying to identify. The term “person of interest” should in no way be assumed to be a “suspect”. A “person of interest” may simply be a witness, victim, or other person that we need to gather information from.

A travel ban will be in effect in the City of Tonawanda beginning at 4pm today. We will continue to assess the conditions. Please be safe.

Request for Identification

The City of Tonawanda Police Department is attempting to identify the individual pictured below in reference to Complaint #23-020770, an incident that occurred in the City of Tonawanda. If you have any information, you are asked to contact the City of Tonawanda Police Department at (716) 692-2121 ext 310.

***Disclaimer***

When the City of Tonawanda Police Department posts a request for information, we deliberately keep specific facts of the case undisclosed as to conform to existing law. Also, we purposely use generic terms, such as “person of interest”, as to not inadvertently place culpability upon the person that we are trying to identify. The term “person of interest” should in no way be assumed to be a “suspect”. A “person of interest” may simply be a witness, victim, or other person that we need to gather information from.

Today a luncheon was held honoring the Kiwanis Club of the Tonawanda’s and the Exchange Club of the Tonawanda’s Officers of the Year from both the City of Tonawanda and the City of North Tonawanda Police Departments. Honored were Lieutenant Bryan Lavey from the City of Tonawanda Police Department and Lieutenant Jeffery Swick from the North Tonawanda Police Department. Pictured from left is Chief Glass, Lt. Swick, Lt. Lavey and Chief Clontz. Congratulations!!