From February 19-26, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 795 calls for service/events. The higher call volumes occurred in the following areas: Traffic Stops-211, Suspicious Subject/Situation/Vehicle-48, Assist Citizen/Motorist Assists-33, Traffic Hazards-31, Alarms-27, Check Well Beings-23, Traffic Violations-23, Shoplifting Complaints-22, Vacation Checks-17, Property Damage Crashes-12, Personal Injury Crashes-11, Larcenies-10, Car/Deer Accidents-10, Threats-9, Unwanted Subject-9, and Suicide Threats or Attempts-8.
With winter nearing an end and spring break plans being made, more teens may be taking to the roads. I thought it would be a good time to remind you of the STOPPED program.
The STOPPED Program is a parental notification system which was developed for the state by the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association (MSA). The goal of STOPPED is to reduce the number of young drivers who are involved in motor vehicle crashes each year. Parents voluntarily register their vehicles with MSA online. They may register any vehicle - car, boat, ORV, moped, motorcycle - that will be operated by a driver under 21. An identification decal is issued by MSA and affixed to the top left corner of the rear windshield of the vehicle where it serves as a constant reminder to the teen to always drive as if his/her parents are in the car.
If, for any reason, the vehicle is pulled over by a participating law enforcement agency while a driver under 21 is driving, a notification is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. Notification includes the time and location of the stop, the driver’s name and number of passengers in the vehicle, the reason for the stop and whether or not any citations were issued. A driver’s license is one of the most visible symbols of a child’s progression into adulthood. However, bad habits are difficult to change once set.
The Michigan Sheriffs’ Association website to register any of your vehicles is www.misheriff.org. Click on Programs, then click on STOPPED. Scroll down to register.
Yours in Public Safety,
Sheriff Tom Reich