Cupertino, Santa Clara County

Biohazard cleanup in Cupertino

Cupertino has no police department of its own. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement here through its West Valley Division.

Call (669) 274-0805

Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

A cul-de-sac of ranch and split-level houses under mature trees, with wooded foothills in the distance.

Where the deputies are, and how to reach them

The West Valley Division has its office in Cupertino, at 1601 South De Anza Boulevard. It is open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on (408) 868-6600. Outside those hours, and for anything that is not an emergency, the number is (408) 299-2311. In an emergency, 911.

The same division serves Saratoga and Los Altos Hills, so the same numbers apply there.

What to ask before the deputies go

Deputies, and the Medical Examiner-Coroner's investigator if one is called, decide when the house is released. Ask them directly whether cleaning may begin, and write down the case number. If a question occurs to you after they have gone, the non-emergency number is the place to ask it.

Deaths here are investigated by the County of Santa Clara Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office, the same office that serves San Jose. The funeral home you choose arranges the release with it.

Privacy, and houses on two levels

If privacy matters to you, say so when you speak with the cleanup company. Ask whether it can come in an unmarked vehicle, park in the driveway or the garage, and carry containers out covered. Ask too how long it expects to be at the house. These are ordinary requests.

In a house with more than one level, tell the company where the affected room sits and what is under it. Fluids on an upper floor can reach the ceiling below, and the company will want to look there as well.