Bethlehem Police Blotter Records and Public Safety Information
The Bethlehem police blotter covers incident records filed by the Bethlehem Police Department in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Bethlehem is home to roughly 76,000 residents and operates a department of 154 sworn officers. The police blotter captures arrests, incidents, and public safety events logged by the department. This page explains how to find and request Bethlehem police blotter records through official channels.
Bethlehem Quick Facts
Bethlehem Police Department Overview
The City of Bethlehem Police Department's official page at bethlehem-pa.gov provides department information for a force of 154 members serving approximately 76,000 residents.
The department includes specialized units such as the Mounted Unit, Bicycle Officers, and Criminal Investigations, all of which contribute to Bethlehem's police blotter and incident records.
The Bethlehem Police Department is headquartered at 10 East Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. The main department line is (610) 865-7150. Bethlehem operates one of the larger municipal police forces in the Lehigh Valley, and the department's specialized units handle everything from neighborhood patrol to major crime investigations. The Mounted Unit and Bicycle Officers expand the department's reach into areas where patrol cars are less effective, while the Criminal Investigations division works cases that end up as longer entries in the Bethlehem police blotter.
You can visit the official department page at bethlehem-pa.gov/Police for current department news, public safety announcements, and resources related to the Bethlehem police blotter.
Note: Bethlehem straddles both Northampton and Lehigh counties. For county-level records, check both counties.
How to Contact the Bethlehem Police Records Bureau
Bethlehem's police contact page includes the full department directory with direct contact information for the Records Bureau, Open Records officer, and other divisions.
Residents can reach the Records Bureau at 610-865-7175 or email jcasella@bethlehem-pa.gov for police blotter and incident record requests in Bethlehem.
The Records Bureau is the right starting point for most Bethlehem police blotter requests. Staff there handle copies of incident reports, arrest records, and related documents. In many cases, you can call ahead to confirm what you need and whether a record is available before visiting in person. The department contact page at bethlehem-pa.gov/Police/Contact-Us lists direct lines and email addresses for Records and all other divisions.
For open records requests, the designated Open Records officer can be reached at 610-865-7011 or by email at openrecords@bethlehem-pa.gov. This is separate from the Records Bureau and handles formal Right-to-Know Law requests under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104.
Bethlehem Police Blotter Record Fees
The Bethlehem Police Department publishes its record fees schedule online, with fingerprint requests at $15, criminal history background checks at $15, and vehicle accident reports at $15.
Residents should review the fee schedule before requesting police blotter or incident records to ensure they have the correct payment ready.
Bethlehem keeps its fee structure simple and consistent. The $15 flat rate covers fingerprint cards, criminal history background checks, and vehicle accident reports. This means you pay the same amount regardless of whether you need a copy of an accident report from the Bethlehem police blotter or a background check for other purposes. Fees are subject to change, so it is always worth confirming current rates by calling the Records Bureau at 610-865-7175 before you show up. The full fee schedule is posted at bethlehem-pa.gov/Police/Forms-Reports/Record-Report-Fees.
Payment methods accepted by the Records Bureau may include cash, check, or money order. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment are accepted when you plan your visit. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can tell you whether your specific record is available and how long processing will take.
Note: Fees listed are current as of publication but may change. Always confirm with the Records Bureau before submitting payment.
How to Request Bethlehem Police Blotter Records
You can request Bethlehem police blotter records in person, by phone, or through a formal written request. The method you choose depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
For straightforward requests like a copy of a traffic accident report, contacting the Records Bureau directly is usually the fastest path. Call 610-865-7175 or email jcasella@bethlehem-pa.gov with the date, location, and names involved. Staff can confirm availability and let you know how to submit payment. In-person pickup at 10 East Church Street is available during business hours.
For records not available through the Records Bureau, or if your request is denied, you can file a formal Right-to-Know request. Bethlehem's Open Records office handles these requests under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, found at 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104. Contact the Open Records officer at 610-865-7011 or openrecords@bethlehem-pa.gov. You can also submit right-to-know requests through the state's online portal at openrecords.pa.gov.
Pennsylvania State Police records covering incidents in Bethlehem may also be available through the PSP Right-to-Know portal or the state's Public Information Release Reports at pa.gov.
Bethlehem Court Records and Criminal History
Police blotter entries in Bethlehem that result in charges are linked to cases in the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. You can track those cases through the Unified Judicial System portal.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us lets you search court cases by name or docket number. This free tool covers all Pennsylvania counties, including Northampton. If an incident in the Bethlehem police blotter moved to the court system, you can look it up there. The site shows case status, charges, and court dates. For certified court records, contact the Northampton County Courthouse directly.
Criminal background checks in Pennsylvania run through ePATCH, the state's electronic database for background checks. You can access it at epatch.pa.gov for a $22 fee. This service is separate from the Bethlehem Police Department's local background check, which costs $15. The state-level check covers records from across Pennsylvania, while the local check focuses on records held by Bethlehem specifically. You can also review state statutes governing criminal history records at 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91.
The Pennsylvania courts' main site at pacourts.us has additional resources on accessing court records and understanding how cases move through the system. For Bethlehem residents dealing with incidents recorded in the police blotter that led to criminal charges, this is a useful companion to the department's own records.
Note: Court records and police blotter records are maintained separately. A police report does not guarantee a court case was filed.
Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and Bethlehem Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives the public broad access to government records, including police blotter entries and incident reports. The law is codified at 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104. Under this law, most police records are considered public unless a specific exemption applies.
Bethlehem handles Right-to-Know requests through its designated Open Records officer. You can submit a request by contacting the office at 610-865-7011 or emailing openrecords@bethlehem-pa.gov. The state's open records portal at openrecords.pa.gov also accepts requests and provides guidance on the process. Agencies must respond within five business days of receiving a request. If they need more time, they may invoke an extension. If access is denied, you have the right to appeal.
Some records in the Bethlehem police blotter may be withheld if they involve active investigations, juvenile offenders, or other protected categories. The Records Bureau can tell you what is available. If a record is withheld, the agency must provide a written explanation citing the applicable exemption under Pennsylvania law.
Northampton County Resources
Bethlehem is the largest city in Northampton County. County-level records and court resources for incidents in the Bethlehem police blotter are maintained through Northampton County.