Pickerington Police

08/20/2026

These are images of the Victory Park and Sycamore Park flooding from this morning. These images were taken by our drone.

Estimates of total rainfall last night was between 2.0 and 3.5 inches of rain across the Pickerington and central Ohio area..

08/13/2026

The Pickerington Police Department is pleased to introduce Officer Nick Baehr, who will be joining the Pickerington Local School District as our newest School Resource Officer (SRO).

Officer Baehr brings his fifteen years of experience to this important assignment. He has held previous assignments as a patrol officer, a K-9 officer, and a SWAT team member. He is looking forward to becoming a familiar and trusted presence within our schools.

Our School Resource Officers work closely with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and school staff to build positive relationships, promote a safe learning environment, and serve as a resource for the entire school community. He will have the opportunity to interact with students on a daily basis, earn their trust, and help young people develop positive relationships with the law enforcement officers who serve their community.

Officer Baehr is excited to become part of the Pickerington Local School District community and looks forward to meeting students, staff, and families throughout the upcoming school year.

07/08/2026

The Pickerington Police Department would like to remind residents that the annual Picktown Palooza returns Thursday, July 9, through Saturday, July 11. We look forward to another outstanding community event featuring live entertainment, great food, and a fun atmosphere for those attending.

Festival Hours
• Thursday, July 9: 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM
• Friday, July 10: 4:30 PM – 12:00 AM (Midnight)
• Saturday, July 11: 2:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Midnight)

Please Note: The Picktown Palooza is an 18-and-over event. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times in accordance with the event's admission policy.

To accommodate the festival, Opportunity Way will be closed to through traffic between Lockville Road and the Pickerington Public Library (201 Opportunity Way) throughout the event.

The Pickerington Public Library and Pickerington Central High School will remain open during the festival. Visitors to either location should access the area from Hill Road South via Opportunity Way, as access from Lockville Road will be unavailable.
Motorists should expect heavier-than-normal traffic in the area, especially during the evening hours. To help reduce congestion and avoid delays, drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and use West Columbus Street or Busey Road as alternate east-west routes whenever possible.

The Pickerington Police Department appreciates your patience and cooperation as we work with event organizers to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone attending. Whether you're visiting for the food, entertainment, or spending time with friends, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable time at Picktown Palooza.

For additional event information including entertainment schedules, admission policies, and a list of permitted and prohibited items, please visit the Picktown Palooza webpage at: https://picktownpalooza.org

07/06/2026

The officers and staff of the Pickerington Police Department extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and members of the Rittman Police Department following the tragic line-of-duty death of Sgt. Scott Ries on Sunday evening.

Sgt. Ries was fatally wounded while responding alongside other law enforcement officers to a 9-1-1 call reporting a burglary in progress and gunfire at a residence. As officers arrived, they were met with immediate gunfire. Sgt. Ries was killed, and four deputies from the Medina County Sheriff's Office, along with a K-9 unit, were injured during the incident.

This heartbreaking tragedy is a solemn reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face every day as they answer the call to protect their communities. We also keep the injured deputies, their families, and everyone impacted by this unimaginable event in our thoughts and prayers.

May Sgt. Ries' courage, dedication, and selfless service never be forgotten.

Rest easy, Brother. We have the watch from here.

07/03/2026

The July 4th parade will begin at 10:00 AM on Opportunity Way near the campuses of Pickerington Central High School and Pickerington Central Junior High School. The parade route (marked in orange on the accompanying map) will travel north on Lockville Road, turn west onto W. Columbus Street, continue to Hill Road South, then proceed south on Hill Road South before returning to Opportunity Way.

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable event for everyone, please note the following traffic information:
• No parking will be permitted along the parade route until the event has concluded.
• Road closures along the parade route will begin at approximately 9:30 AM. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early and choose a viewing location before streets are closed to vehicle traffic.
• N. Center Street between the railroad tracks and W. Columbus Street, and W. Church Street between Cross Street and N. Center Street, will close to traffic beginning at 6:00 AM.

Following the parade, the celebration continues from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Elevate District on N. Center Street between W. Columbus Street and the railroad tracks. During this time, W. Columbus Street and W. Church Street between Cross Street and N. Center Street (marked in red on the accompanying map) will remain closed to accommodate additional festivities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a full afternoon of family-friendly entertainment, including:
• Live music
• Food trucks
• Children's inflatables
• Stilt walkers
• Axe throwing
• A pie-eating contest
• And many other activities for all ages

The Pickerington Police Department appreciates your patience and cooperation as temporary traffic restrictions are implemented to help ensure the safety of parade participants, spectators, and motorists.

We look forward to celebrating Independence Day with our community and wish everyone a safe, fun, and memorable holiday weekend!

07/02/2026

The Pickerington Police Department is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone attending the City's Independence Day weekend fireworks celebration. To help manage the large volume of vehicles leaving the event, officers will implement a temporary traffic control plan immediately following the fireworks display.

Each year, hundreds of vehicles exit the event at the same time, creating congestion on the two-lane roadways surrounding the viewing areas. Traffic traveling north on State Route 256 through the Olde Pickerington area is especially prone to significant delays. Our goal is to safely move traffic away from the event by distributing vehicles across several roadways, helping reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

What to Expect
Following the fireworks display:
1) Traffic exiting Opportunity Way, the Pickerington High School Central, and Pickerington Central Junior High School campuses will be directed southbound on Hill Road South and Lockville Road (marked in orange on the diagram).
2) Drivers will be able to use Busey Road (marked in green) to travel either west toward Diley Road (marked in yellow) or east to other connecting roadways. Diley Road is better equipped to handle higher traffic volumes in both directions and will help reduce backups.
3) Vehicles attempting to travel northbound on Hill Road South near Opportunity Way (marked in teal) will be temporarily held until outbound event traffic has cleared.
4) Hill Road South between West Columbus Street and Stonebridge Boulevard will be temporarily closed to allow traffic exiting the event venues to safely disperse (marked in purple).
5) Westbound traffic on East Columbus Street (SR-256) (marked in red) will be directed north onto North Center Street, where motorists may continue north or turn onto Milnor Road.
6) Eastbound traffic on West Columbus Street (SR-256) (marked in blue) will continue to operate normally. Drivers may continue east or turn south onto Lockville Road.

These temporary traffic patterns are designed to move vehicles more efficiently and safely following the event. Officers will be stationed throughout the area to direct traffic and assist motorists.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as our officers work to safely move everyone home. Following officer directions and using the designated routes will help reduce delays and ensure a safer departure for all attendees.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day weekend celebration. Thank you for helping us keep our community moving safely.

07/01/2026

The Pickerington Community Independence Day Weekend Celebration begins on Friday, July 3, with the community’s annual fireworks display starting at 10:00 PM. This show will be rain or shine. There are no rain dates planned.

Viewing Areas & Parking
The primary public viewing areas in the old part of town are:
1) Pickerington Central High School – 300 Opportunity Way
2) Pickerington Central Junior High School – 457 Lockville Road

Parking at both schools is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking will be prohibited on Opportunity Way between Hill Road South and Lockville Road.

Additional parking will be available in the city lot located at the intersection of N. Center St. and Town Square Drive.

Ridgeview Junior High School, located at 130 Hill Rd. South, will be closed to the public for fireworks viewing and parking.

Due to previous safety and security concerns, Victory Park will be closed during the event. Public viewing is available at Sycamore Creek Park near Covered Bridge Lane; however, vehicle parking within the park itself will not be permitted for safety purposes.

Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly by bringing plenty of water, snacks, and any other items needed to stay comfortable throughout the evening.

Weather
The current forecast from the national weather service for Friday calls for sunny skies with a high of 96 and heat index values as high as 105. Friday evening will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 AM and a low of 74.

Public Safety
The Pickerington Police Department will have a significant public safety presence throughout the event, particularly at the Pickerington Central High School and Pickerington Junior High School campuses and in the Old Pickerington area. Officers will be on foot patrol, bicycle patrol, and vehicle patrol. The department's drone unit will also be monitoring the event to help protect public safety.

If you observe suspicious or disorderly behavior, please notify a police officer or call the Pickerington Police Department's non-emergency number at (614) 575-6911. Please reserve 9-1-1 for emergencies requiring an immediate police, fire, or medical response.

Help Keep the Event Safe
This is a family-oriented community celebration, and we ask everyone to be respectful of fellow attendees and to behave themselves. Illegal, disorderly, or unsafe behavior will not be tolerated. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to:

1) Using recreational ma*****na in public or inside a motor vehicle. While Ohio law permits adults 21 and older to use recreational ma*****na in private residences, public consumption remains illegal. Possession by anyone under the age of 21 is also prohibited.
2) Possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages in open containers unless you are in the DORA area.
3) Discharging fireworks at or dangerously close to crowds or occupied areas. The City of Pickerington still has a law (PCO Section 678.10) which prohibits the use of fireworks (except sparklers, smoke bombs and snakes) within the City limits.
4) Operating private drones within the event's restricted airspace, as identified on the event map.
5) Fighting, threatening others, or engaging in any disorderly or disruptive conduct.

Traffic Information
Thousands of attendees and hundreds of vehicles are expected to be in the area throughout the evening. Because the roadways in this area are primarily two-lane roads, traffic congestion following the fireworks display will be unavoidable.

We would appreciate your patience as traffic clears. If you are leaving from the Old Pickerington area, we encourage motorists to travel away from the downtown area whenever possible. Using routes such as Hill Road South, Lockville Road, or Diley Road, rather than driving through the downtown area, will help reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for everyone.

We look forward to celebrating with you and wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day weekend! Thank you for your cooperation!

06/06/2026

05/29/2026

*Special Olympics-Law Enforcement Torch Run*

Our department, along with Mayor Gray, were honored to participate in the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics yesterday in downtown Pickerington, alongside the Pickerington Jaguars! Pickerington was the final stop of the South Central region for the Special Olympics State Summer Games Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Ohio (LETR) is a volunteer movement that was established by members of the law enforcement community to support Special Olympics. Each year, officers carry the “Flame of Hope” along with athletes into the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies at The Ohio State University. The flame symbolizes courage, perseverance, and the inclusion movement taking place in Ohio and across the globe.
This event represents courage, perseverance, and the power of community, while raising awareness and funds to support Special Olympics programs. Thank you for the opportunity to support such incredible athletes whose determination and spirit inspire us all!

05/24/2026

The Pickerington Police Department hopes everyone has a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend, which marks the beginning of summer.

More importantly, we need to remember what this holiday weekend is all about. Honoring all of our service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect our great nation.

It has been estimated that some 1.3 MILLION American service members have died during all of the wars that the United States has been involved in, from the Revolutionary War to the current military operations in the Persian Gulf. These brave men and women died keeping America safe. They paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Let us not forget their sacrifices.

“Have you ever stopped to ponder the amount of blood spilled, the volume of tears shed, the degree of pain and anguish endured, the number of noble men and women lost in battle so that we as individuals might have a say in governing our country? Honor the lives sacrificed for your freedoms.“ - Author Unknown

“We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage.” - Theodore Roosevelt

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed, by so many, to so few.” - Winston Churchill