The Safety Department is comprised of the Police Department, Fire Department, Communication Center and Building Department. In addition to the responsibility for the aforementioned departments, the Safety Department is responsible for traffic regulatory signs, pavement markings and traffic signals.

All purchases for these departments are funneled through the Safety Department. A public bidding process is generally utilized for purchases in the amount of $25,000.00 or more. The bidding process is normally used for equipment purchases such as police vehicles, Fire Department pumpers (trucks) and ambulances. Annual budgets are prepared by each department to provide for these purchases.

As the Appointing Authority for the departments under his jurisdiction, the Safety Director is involved in the employment of personnel and works in conjunction with the Civil Service Commission.

Residents who have complaints regarding unkempt property, possible parking violations, motorists disregarding stop signs and exceeding speed limits on residential streets, missing no parking or stop signs, malfunctioning traffic signals and pedestrian signals can call the Council Complaint Department at 440-885-8083 to file a complaint regarding their concerns. These complaints are given to Safety who then assigns them to the appropriate department for handling.

In special circumstances, special permission can be given to residents by contacting the Safety Department to place a dumpster on their property while removing roofing or other home improvement materials and exemption for short term on street parking. Also, permission can be given to leave trash on the tree lawn previous to the regular rubbish collection day, i.e., refrigerators (doors must be removed), stoves, etc.

Neighborhoods organizing block parties in the warm weather months need permission to close off the street during the hours of the block party. A letter must be submitted to the Safety Department outlining the date and time of the block party, the name of the street and area of the street that will be blocked off, and the name of a contact person. In addition to the letter, a petition to close off the street on the date of the block party and signed by the majority of the residents affected must be submitted.

The following permits may be obtained through the Safety Department:

Garage Sale Permits
Residents are entitled to three permits a year for a period of three consecutive days (Sundays prohibited) on each permit.

Solicitor's Permit
Individuals who want to solicit business in a residential area or at business establishments for products that are not integral to the business must obtain a solicitor's permit.

Hack (Taxi Driver) License
Individuals who want to operate a taxi cab within the Parma city limits must obtain a Hack License.

Dance Permits
Organizations that are sponsoring a dance at one of the halls located within the Parma city limits must obtain a permit.

Picnic Permit
Organizations that are sponsoring a picnic at one of the halls or picnic groves within the Parma city limits must obtain a permit.

Parade Permit
Any organization sponsoring a parade on the city streets must obtain a parade permit.

Charitable Games/Scheme of Chance Permit
A non-profit/charitable organization holding a “Las Vegas” night or “Night at the Races” type of event must obtain a permit. The organization can hold up to two events per year, and the location it is being held at can hold up to four events of this type per year.

Itinerant Vendor
Individuals who want to set up a stand outside of a building on commercial property to sell products must
obtain a permit before doing so.

Winter Overnight Parking Permits
Overnight parking is prohibited on all city streets from November 1 through April l5 during the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Permits to park on the street can be issued if there is insufficient room in the driveway to park the vehicles or there is a doctor documented medical hardship. In order to obtain a permit, the following information must be provided: A request must be made in writing addressed to the Safety Director outlining the reason why the permit is necessary. Please include your name, address and phone number, along with a list of all of the vehicles in the household, including year, make, model, license number, serial number and to whom the vehicle is titled to. This information can either be mailed or brought in to the Safety Department.

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Director of Safety

Gregory Michael Baeppler

Contact Information
Office: (440) 885-8174
Fax: (440) 885-8125
Email: safetydepartment@cityofparma-oh.gov

Prior to being appointed Parma's safety director, Mr. Baeppler was the manager of Safety Services at Jacobs Field. Before that position, he was a Cleveland police officer for 30 years.

During his tenure with the Cleveland Police Department he was commander of Sixth District and later was named commander for the Second District. Both districts were noted for strict traffic enforcement and community-based policing.

He has testified as an expert witness in safety-related civil suits and has attended the University of Toledo and the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia.

Animal Control Officer

Julie Kocik

Ms. Kocik has over 15 years experience in the field to include 14 years in a similar position with the City of Euclid. In addition, she served for one year as an animal cruelty investigator for the Animal Protective League. She has completed levels I and II of the Animal Control Academy and is certified as an animal control officer.

Contact Information for Fire Department stations available by clicking here.

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