Top 5 questions you should have answers to………….
Why might I be stopped by the Police?
The officer may have reason to suspect that you are in violation of a traffic or criminal law. It may be that a crime was committed nearby or the Officer believes that you might be able to assist in the investigation.
Why does the Officer ask for Identification?
The officer is trained to ask for identification. You know you are dealing with a police officer. The officer merely wishes to know with whom he/she is dealing.
When a car is stopped at night, the Officers shine their lights into the car. Why is that?
Officers are trained to minimize their exposure to potential danger from within the stopped vehicle. At night, the bright light illuminates the interior of the vehicle; a safety consideration for the officers.
If I have only been pulled over for a traffic offense, why do other police cars sometimes show up?
It is not uncommon for officers who are in close proximity to assist on another, even if they are not requested. This is a routine response for safety reasons.
Why do officers sit in the car for so long when I have been pulled over? What are they doing?
Technology allows Officers to determine your driving status and check your registration. However, there are times when responses are delayed through no fault of the Officers.
Informational FAQ’s
How do I get to the police department?
We are located at 3075 E Higgins Lk Dr., Roscommon, MI. which is on the East side of Higgins Lake.
From I-75 NB, you exit at the 239 Mile Marker exit to Roscommon, MI. The exit is the same as the exit to the South Higgins Lake State Park. After exiting turn South (left) on M-18. Cross over I-75 and make a right on Co. Rd. 103 also known as W. Robinson Lake Rd. Follow W. Robinson Lk Rd. approximately 2.5 miles to the blinker light. Turn South (left) onto E. Higgins Lk Dr also known as Co Rd 100. We are a tenth of mile South of the blinker light on the West side of the road.
FROM I-75 SB, you exit at the 244-mile marker exit to Roscommon, MI. The exit is the same as the exit to the North Higgins Lake State Park and the DNR Ralph MacMullen Center. After exiting, you will turn West (right) onto M-76 and the next road on your left is Co Rd 101 also known as Ivy Rd. Turn South (left) and follow this road until you reach the top of a big hill (Pioneer Hill) at a stop-signed intersection. You will turn right on Co Rd 100 and follow this road for approximately 3 miles (you will go through a blinker light) and the Police Department will be on the West (right) side of the road. We are the first brick building on the right South of the blinker light.
FROM US 127 NB, you will exit at the 201-mile marker to Higgins Lake, Mi. This exit is the same exit that directs you to the South Higgins Lake State Park. After exiting, you will turn East (right) onto Co Rd 104 also known as W. Marl Lk Rd. You will come to the blinker light at the intersection of Co Rd 104/W Marl Lk RD and Old 127. Cross through the intersection staying on Co Rd 104/W Marl Lk Rd. The next blinker light will be 5-6 miles up the road. Go straight through that blinker light and you will pass the South Higgins Lake State Park. From that location, we are approximately 3 miles North of that location on the same road you are on. We are on the West (left) side of the road and the second Governmental brick building that you come to.
FROM US 127 SB, you will exit at the 201-mile marker to Higgins Lake, Mi. This exit is the same exit that directs you to the South Higgins Lake State Park. After exiting, you will turn East (left) onto Co Rd 104 also known as W. Marl Lk Rd. You will pass over US 127 and see a blinker light at the intersection of Co Rd 104/W Marl Lk RD and Old 127. Cross through the intersection staying on Co Rd 104/W Marl Lk Rd. The next blinker light will be 5-6 miles up the road. Go straight through that blinker light and you will pass the South Higgins Lake State Park. From that location, we are approximately 3 miles North of that location on the same road you are on. We are on the West (left) side of the road and the second Governmental brick building that you come to.
FILING A POLICE REPORT: How do I file an accident or incident report?
Other than persons that come to the office to report a minor traffic offense, citizens of Gerrish Township are requested to dial 911 to report any type of accident emergency or non-emergency. Our office does not staff office personnel twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week; therefore, it is important that persons wishing to contact the police, ambulance, or fire service dial 911. To file hit and run accidents or minor complaints, you may do so at the Gerrish Township Police during normal business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
POLICE REPORTS: How do I obtain a copy of an accident report or police report?
Accident reports may be obtained at the Gerrish Township Police Department office or you may obtain the same online 24 hours a day at https://www.crashdocs.org/#/ or https://ecrash.lexisnexis.com
Incident reports can be obtained from our department when the complaint is closed and arrest or prosecution has occurred.
Per the Freedom Of Information Act (Act 442 of 1976), you may obtain information including reports, photos, videos, etc. For complete procedure, guidelines and request forms go to our website under FOIA INFORMATION or stop into the department to obtain a request form.
CASE STATUS: How do I find out the status of my case?
If your case is a State misdemeanor case or a felony case, you can contact the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office at 989-275-5233. If it is a Township Ordinance violation, you may contact this office Monday through Friday at 989-821-5207 for its status.
FINES and CITATIONS: What is the fine on traffic or ordinance violations?
These fines are set by the 82nd District Court. Amounts of fines may vary from time-to-time as set by the Judge. Traffic citations normally are issued with a fine schedule being issued to the violator with a listing of current fines. Below are some helpful charts etc. You may find out the cost of a traffic ticket at 989-275-5315 or an ordinance violation ticket by calling this office Monday through Friday at 989-821-5207.
Traffic Violations
Per District Court, all tickets must be paid within 21 days of receipt of the ticket to avoid late fees. If your ticket is older than 21 days, or you wish to deny responsibility/plead not guilty, you must contact the District Court Office at 989-275-5315. The Court office can process credit card payments during regular business hours.
If you are a Michigan Resident and your license IS NOT suspended, personal checks are acceptable. If you are not a Michigan resident or your license is suspended by the Court, bank-certified checks or money orders only. Make checks/money orders payable to: “82nd DISTRICT COURT”.
Fines can be paid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling Government Payment Services at 866-480-8552 or to pay on line go to the link on the Roscommon County District Court website www.roscommoncounty.net/155/Violations. A convenience fee will be assessed by the credit card provider for all credit card transactions whether processed through the court or directly through Government Payment Services.
Questions regarding points associated with tickets will need to be addressed with any branch office of the Secretary of State.
The 82nd District Court DOES NOT take tickets under advisement under any circumstances!!!
If your speeding ticket was in a school or construction zone, or you were operating a semi-truck, please note below for the appropriate fines and costs total.
Click on the following link for SPEEDING VIOLATIONS
www.roscommoncounty.net/156/Speeding-Violations
Click on the following link for OTHER TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
www.roscommoncounty.net/159/Other-Traffic-Violations
If the traffic violation you received is not listed above, you must call the 82nd District Court (989) 275-5315.
PPO: Where do I apply for a Personal Protection Order?
The necessary paperwork for a Personal Protection Order (PPO) can be obtained at the County Clerk’s Office located in the Roscommon County Building at 500 Lake Street, Roscommon, Mi. 48653. PPOs do not require you to retain an attorney. There is no fee for the service; however, there is a fee for serving the PPO upon the individual named in the order. If you have questions or would like additional information, please call the Roscommon County Clerk’s Office at 989-275-5923.
Walkers and Bicyclists: What are the rules for operating a bike or walking in the Township?
Many citizens like to ride bicycles or walk around the Township as a pleasant form of exercise. It is important to follow the rules of the road as required by State law for their safety. Pedestrians who are walking in areas that lack sidewalks, walk outside the travel lane, facing traffic, as far to the edge or shoulder as possible. If there is a sidewalk, pedestrians must walk on the sidewalk and not in the roadway. Pedestrians are subject to traffic-control signals at intersections and must walk in marked crosswalks to cross roadways. Drivers of motor vehicles must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. The Police Department strongly suggests bright colors or traffic safety vests for visibility reasons.
Bicyclists are to travel with traffic (same direction as cars) as far to the right as possible. They are required by State law to obey all traffic control devices as practical (red lights, stop signs, etc.). Bicycles are not to carry more persons than they are designed to carry. If there is one seat on the bike, only one person can be on it at a time. Bicyclers should not carry items that prevent them from having both hands on the handlebars. When riding at night, bicycles must have a white reflector in the front, a red reflector in the back, plus one headlight and one red taillight, all clearly visible. Although not a law or ordinance, the Police Department strongly recommends the use of bike helmets.
These rules are paramount to ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones. Any questions or concerns may be directed to the Gerrish Township Police Department or visit our Michigan Bicycle Laws page.
Go-Peds and Motorized Scooters: What are the regulations for go-peds and motorized scooters?
The Police Department has received many calls from concerned parents on the legality of motorized scooters, skateboards, go-peds, and similar toy vehicles. Regulation of these devices has been a challenge for law enforcement agencies as well as the Secretary of State and the courts because the State Motor Vehicle Code does not specifically mention them. According to the Secretary of State Office, these “toy vehicles” are, by definition, motor vehicles. Because they are motor vehicles, they must be registered in order to be legally operated on public roadways and operators must possess a driver’s license. They are not considered mopeds because they do not satisfy the requirements or definition of a moped. Also, the Secretary of State will not, nor can they, register them as they do mopeds. In summary, motorized scooters, go-peds, mini-cycles, and like items are not allowed to be operated on any public roadway, right-of-way or areas open to the general public, according to State law. They are only allowed on private property. Any questions concerning this issue can be forwarded to the Gerrish Township Police Department.
What is the law regarding seatbelts and child restraints in Motor Vehicles?
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning and the U.S. Department of Transportation say, “Safety belts save lives!” Here are a few 2020 Michigan statistics:
- On average, nearly 3 Michigan motorists are killed every day in traffic crashes, and 120 more are injured daily.
- A traffic crash is reported every 2 minutes, 9 seconds.
- Crashes cost Michigan citizens more than $11.5 billion per year!
- 43.7% of all fatal crashes reported non-use of safety belts.
- When safety belts/restraints were used, 87.7% of people involved in crashes sustained zero injuries.
- Only 0.1% of people died when wearing safety belts/restraints when involved in a crash.
Safety Belt / Child Restraint Law:
CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE THE IMAGE
* Driver receives the citation for violation
** Each violator receives a citation
