Police to end public fingerprinting Police to end public fingerprinting (June 09, 2004)

As a cost-saving measure, fingerprinting services for the public will no longer be provided by the Menlo Park Police Department after July 1.

Residents often used the service because it was required as part of a background check by a new employer, Menlo Park Police Sgt. Mike Amaral said. But now, with the city's budget troubles forcing officials to run their departments as leanly as possible, the service is being discontinued to free up police records staff to do other duties.

Staff spend three to six hours per week doing fingerprinting, Sgt. Amaral said: "By discontinuing it, we would be more efficient in providing more services to the public, like answering phones and dealing with people in the lobby."

Nearby departments that offer the service include the Stanford Department of Public Safety at 711 Serra St. on the Stanford University campus and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office at 400 County Center in Redwood City. Both can scan fingerprints or use ink.

The Stanford department can be reached at 725-2499, while the Sheriff's Office is at 599-1570.

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