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1. Does the Ankeny Police Department unlock vehicles?

The Ankeny Police Department does not generally unlock vehicles. The only exception is an emergency situation such as a child locked inside a running vehicle.

This informal policy is due to the increasing complexity of car security systems and side-impact airbags, Attempts to open may cause damage to the vehicle or injury to an officer. Please contact a locksmith to open vehicles.

2. How do I find out if a City event has been canceled due to weather?

The City of Ankeny's Parks and Recreation Department maintains a Weather Cancellation Hotline with the most recent information to alert program participants of program cancellations. It can be reached by phone at 515-963-3575. Cancellations are also shared through the City's Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Kirkendall Public Library events and programs typically follow the Ankeny School District's weather cancellation announcements. Please call the library at 515-965-6460 and/or check the Library Facebook page for weather-related updates.

3. How do I report a crime?

To report a crime or any suspicious activity, please contact the Ankeny Police Department's non-emergency number at 515-286-3333. They will take your statement and - if necessary - dispatch an officer to your location.

Reports can be made anonymously.

4. How do I report flooding in my neighborhood?

To report neighborhood flooding, please contact the Municipal Utilities Department at 515-963-3520. 

If flooding occurs outside of office hours, please contact the Ankeny Police Department at by calling their non-emergency number at 515-286-3333 and a City service crew will be dispatched to your location.

5. What is the signal at the High Trestle Trail crossing at West 1st Street?

The signal at the High Trestle Trail crossing at West 1st Street is called a HAWK pedestrian Signal.

"HAWK" stands for High-intensity Activated crosswalk. It is intended to provide a signalized crossing for pedestrians while reducing delay to vehicular traffic.

While it looks similar to a traditional pedestrian signal, the HAWK operates a little differently. When not in use, vehicle signals remain dark, allowing vehicular traffic to proceed without stopping. A pedestrian pushing the button begins a sequence of four different light combinations:

1. First, the signal begins flashing yellow to indicate to drivers that a pedestrian is waiting to enter the crosswalk.
2. This is followed by a steady yellow indication, advising drivers to stop, if safe to do so (just like a traditional traffic signal).
3. The signal then turns solid red, requiring drivers to stop at the stop bar.
4. Finally, the signal will flash red indicating that drivers must stop first, but may proceed with caution if the street is clear - the same as they would at a traditional signal operating with flashing red lights. The signal will then return to dark.

During these sequences the pedestrians will see the same indications they see at a traditional traffic signal: Hand symbol (Don't Walk), Walking Person symbol (Walk), and Flashing Hand symbol with countdown timer. For a visual representation of these signals, please download the HAWK Pedestrian Signal Infographic (PDF).

6. Why should residents not be allowed to park on residential streets if snow removal operations are in effect but it is a light enough snow that residential streets are not going to be plowed?

A winter storm may start out with residential streets not being plowed, however, could easily progress to a longer duration or more intense weather event where residential streets do need to be plowed and then mid-event we would have to ask residents to move their vehicles.