Scranton Police Blotter: Incident Reports and Public Records
The Scranton police blotter documents incidents, arrests, and public safety events recorded by the Scranton Police Department (SPD) in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Scranton has a population of about 76,000 and serves as the county seat of Lackawanna County. Residents, journalists, and attorneys can access Scranton police blotter records through the SPD's Records Unit or through formal Right-to-Know requests. This page explains where to start and what each path involves.
Scranton Quick Facts
Scranton Police Department Overview
The Scranton Police Department (SPD) maintains its official page at scrantonpa.gov with department overview, division information, and public safety resources for city residents.
Residents seeking Scranton police blotter records can access records request information through the SPD's online services portal or visit the Records Unit directly.
The Scranton Police Department is located at 100 South Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503. The main line is 570-348-4130. As the primary law enforcement agency for the city of Scranton, the SPD handles all incident reports, arrests, and public safety matters that make up the Scranton police blotter. The department's official page at scrantonpa.gov/your-government/spd provides an overview of divisions and contact information across the organization.
Scranton also maintains a Most Wanted list at scrantonpa.gov. This tool lets residents view current fugitives and submit tips to the department. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
Scranton Police Records Unit
The Scranton Police Department's Records Unit handles requests for police blotter entries, incident reports, and accident reports. Incident reports cost $25 (free for victims) and accident reports cost $15.
Residents can contact the Records Unit at 570-348-4134 for assistance with Scranton police blotter requests and to inquire about report availability.
The Records Unit is the first stop for most Scranton police blotter requests. For incident reports, the $25 fee applies to most requestors. Victims of the incident listed in the record can receive a copy at no cost. This fee waiver for victims is important to know before you call. Accident reports cost $15. The Records Unit page at scrantonpa.gov/your-government/spd/records-unit outlines fees and procedures in detail.
When contacting the Records Unit, have the following information ready: the date of the incident, a case or report number if you have one, and the names of any parties involved. This speeds up the process significantly. Staff can confirm availability over the phone before you submit payment or travel to the department.
Note: Victims of incidents in the Scranton police blotter can request their own incident report at no charge. Ask the Records Unit about this waiver when you call.
Scranton Police Online Services Portal
Scranton's police online services portal at scrantonpa.gov provides multiple tools: anonymous tip submission, incident and accident report requests, online police report filing, and the SPD Most Wanted list.
The online portal makes it easy for Scranton residents to access police blotter information and request records without visiting the department in person.
The Scranton Police online services page at scrantonpa.gov/police-online-services is one of the more comprehensive local police portals in northeastern Pennsylvania. It combines several separate functions into one place. You can file a police report online for certain types of incidents, such as minor theft or property damage where no suspect is known. This is faster than an in-person visit for low-priority matters. The anonymous tip tool lets residents share information about crimes without giving their name.
Residents can also use the online reporting tool at scrantonpa.gov to file reports directly. Not all incident types qualify for online reporting. Review the available options before starting to confirm your situation is eligible.
Scranton Right-to-Know Requests
For records not available through the Records Unit, Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law provides a formal path to request Scranton police blotter data and other public records.
Scranton handles Right-to-Know requests through a dedicated portal at scrantonpa.gov/services/right-to-know-request. You can also email RTK requests to rtk@scrantonpa.gov. Under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104, the city must respond within five business days. If an extension is needed, they must notify you in writing. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
The state's open records portal at openrecords.pa.gov provides additional guidance on filing Right-to-Know requests across all Pennsylvania agencies. If your request involves Pennsylvania State Police records related to Scranton, those can be submitted through the PSP Right-to-Know portal.
Court Records and Criminal History in Scranton
Incidents in the Scranton police blotter that result in charges move to the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. Court records are publicly accessible through state systems.
Search Scranton-area criminal cases for free at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The Unified Judicial System portal covers all Pennsylvania courts, including Lackawanna County. You can look up cases by name or docket number and see charges, case status, and court dates. Certified copies of court documents require a visit to or request from the Lackawanna County Courthouse.
For statewide criminal history checks, Pennsylvania's ePATCH system is available at epatch.pa.gov for a $22 fee. This database covers criminal records from across the state, providing broader context than a single-city search. Information on criminal record statutes is found at 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91. You can also review state public information release reports through the Pennsylvania State Police.
The Pennsylvania courts' main information portal at pacourts.us has additional tools and guidance for accessing court records across the state.
Note: Police incident reports and court records are separate records maintained by separate agencies. A Scranton police blotter entry does not mean charges were filed or a conviction resulted.
Lackawanna County Resources
Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County. County-level records and court filings connected to Scranton police blotter incidents are maintained through Lackawanna County.