Emmet County Sheriff's Office

06/05/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones, Emmet County! 🚨

Our deputies have seen an uptick in aggressive, highly sophisticated scams targeting our neighbors here in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Alanson, and throughout the county. These aren't your typical random robocalls—predators are using advanced technology to exploit your trust in local faces and institutions.

Be on the lookout for these three major tactics operating in our area right now:

1. Spoofed Sheriff’s Office Calls: Scammers use software to trick your caller ID into displaying our official number (231-439-8900). They claim you missed jury duty or have a warrant, and demand immediate payment via gift cards or digital apps to avoid jail.

The Truth: We will NEVER call you to demand money or ask for gift cards/crypto over the phone.

2. Phony Church Emails: Fraudsters target your faith and generosity by making a free email account look like it’s coming from your local pastor or priest. They send "urgent" requests asking you to buy gift cards for a family in need and text them the codes.

The Truth: Always verify directly with your church office before responding to any digital request for funds.

3. AI Voice Cloning: This terrifying new threat uses short audio clips from social media to replicate a grandchild’s or relative's voice perfectly. They call pretending to be in jail or a bad accident, demanding immediate bail money.

The Truth: Take a breath, hang up, and call your family member back on their normal number to verify.

Watch Out for Our Seniors: Scammers heavily target older residents because of their deep respect for law enforcement and church leadership. They will often demand absolute secrecy to keep them from talking to family. Talk to your parents and neighbors about these red flags!

Read the Full Guide:
Knowledge is our best defense. For a complete breakdown of these scams, specific red flags to watch for, and exact steps on what to do if you are targeted, read our full blog post available right now on our FREE app!

Download the Emmet County Sheriff's Office app today to stay informed and keep our community safe.

06/04/2026

‼️🚤EMERGENCY TEMPORARY VESSEL SPEED LIMIT ORDER EXTENSION🚤‼️

06/03/2026

Scammers are spoofing email addresses from local church pastors requesting money and/or gift cards to help those in the community.

We have also received multiple calls that scammers are spoofing our phone number and calling others stating they missed jury duty and have a bench warrant out for their arrest and need a payment over the phone to remedy the warrant.

This is a scam! Do not give any information and immediate block the number.

Once again, we have scammers who are claiming to be from the Emmet County Sheriff's Office and are calling members of the community telling them they have a warrant for their arrest and have to pay them money. THIS IS A SCAM! Immediately hang up and block the number.

Unfortunately they use computer generated numbers and these numbers are untraceable. Sometimes, they will even "spoof" the Emmet County Sheriff's Office phone number to make it appear that the number is calling from our office.

We will NEVER call you to advise you about warrant status nor ask for any kind of payment over the phone.

06/01/2026

May 2026 Sheriff’s Report

05/26/2026

Vehicle Pursuit - Emmet County

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office is addressing a vehicle pursuit that occurred earlier today within our jurisdiction. The incident originated in another venue, and following an alert regarding the vehicle, our deputies successfully located the suspect vehicle on M-119. A pursuit started and continued into the City of Petoskey before the vehicle was brought to a stop and a male subject was taken into custody.

The suspect has been arrested and is currently lodged in Cheboygan County.

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office is currently preparing to request additional charges related to this incident.

Sheriff Matt Leirstein has initiated a formal review of Office policy to evaluate the circumstances and necessity of the pursuit.

Sheriff Matt Leirstein expressed relief that, despite the nature of the event, there were no injuries reported during the pursuit. As this investigation remains active and ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office will release further information as it becomes available.

The Emmet County Sheriff's Office would like to recognize the Petoskey Department of Public Safety and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Police Department for their extraordinary efforts in assisting to bring today's vehicle chase to a successful conclusion.

For verified updates, please follow the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office official social media channels or download the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office mobile application.

05/22/2026

🚨 NEW BLOG POST: Seatbelt Safety & Statistics 🚨

Buckling up is the simplest, most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones on the road—but do you know the numbers behind the click?

We have just published a brand-new blog post exclusively on the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office mobile app breaking down critical seatbelt safety facts, regional statistics, and why those few seconds before you shift into drive matter so much.

05/21/2026

‼️Effective May 22, 2026 - June 5, 2026 (unless extended)‼️

EMMET COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
EMERGENCY TEMPORARY VESSEL SPEED LIMIT ORDER
MCL 324.80146 – Public Act 70 of 2020

Issued By: Sheriff Matt Leirstein
Emmet County Sheriff’s Office

AUTHORITY
Pursuant to the authority granted under Public Act 70 of 2020 and MCL 324.80146, and in response to ongoing emergency conditions affecting navigable waters within Emmet County, the following Emergency Temporary Vessel Limit Order is hereby issued.

FINDINGS
The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office finds that emergency conditions currently exist which present a threat to public safety and property, including but not limited to:
• Elevated water levels and strong currents;
• Submerged docks, seawalls, shorelines, and navigational hazards;
• Debris hazards are not visible to vessel operators;
• Increased risk of vessel wake causing damage to flood-impacted infrastructure and property;
• Safety concerns for residents, boaters, and emergency responders.
These conditions pose immediate risks to human life, public safety operations, and private property.

ORDER
Effective immediately upon issuance of this Order:
1. NO WAKE RESTRICTION (MODIFIED)
A modified No Wake speed restriction is hereby established for the following waters within Emmet County:
• Crooked Lake
• Pickerel Lake
The No Wake restriction shall apply from the shoreline extending outward 500 feet on both Crooked Lake
and Pickerel Lake.
“No Wake” means operating a vessel at the slowest speed possible while still maintaining steering control.
2. CROOKED RIVER CLOSURE
The Crooked River shall remain closed to all non-emergency vessel traffic due to the hazardous
conditions identified in the Findings section of this Order.

ENFORCEMENT
This Order shall be strictly enforced by the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office and other authorized law
enforcement agencies.

PENALTIES
Pursuant to MCL 324.80146(3)(b), violations of this Emergency Temporary Vessel Speed Limit Order shall subject the operator to the following minimum fines:
• First violation: Not less than $100.00
• Second or subsequent violation: Not less than $500.00
Additional enforcement action may be taken as authorized under the Michigan Marine Safety Act and other applicable law.

PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of this Emergency Temporary Vessel Speed Limit Order shall be provided through:
• Posting on the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office website and social media platforms;
• Notification to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division;
• Physical signage and buoys, as permitted and provided by the requested local unit of government.

DURATION
This Emergency Temporary Vessel Speed Limit Order is issued pursuant to MCL 324.80146 and shall remain in effect until June 5, 2026, unless extended or reissued in accordance with statute based on continued emergency conditions.

No reopening date for the Crooked River is established by this Order.

COORDINATION
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Boating Law Administrator has been notified consistent with statutory requirements.

ISSUED: May 22, 2026

Sheriff Matt Leirstein
Emmet County Sheriff’s Office

‼️Please call 911 to report any violations‼️

05/19/2026

REGISTER NOW: 2026 Boater’s Safety Class!

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office is hosting an official state-mandated Boater’s Safety Class on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Crooked Lake Yacht Club!

Whether you’re a new boater or just looking for a refresher before hitting Michigan's beautiful waters this summer, this course covers essential skills to keep you and your passengers safe.

Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Participants must attend the full session)
Location: Crooked Lake Yacht Club
What to bring: A pen or pencil, and a packed lunch.

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS:

Registration: You MUST register ahead of time on the DNR website to secure your spot.

Class Size: Strictly limited to 20 students.

Age Policy: Students under 10 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive their official state boater safety certificate.

Questions? Please call the Sheriff's Office Recreation Division at 231-439-8910 and leave a message.

Space is limited to the first 20 registrants, so don't wait—head to the DNR website and sign up today!

https://michigan.storefront.kalkomey.com/em/events/11136

05/18/2026

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) for the annual "Click It or Ticket" high-visibility enforcement campaign this May.

As the warmer weather brings more traffic to our beautiful roads and scenic coastlines, our absolute priority is ensuring every driver and passenger makes it to their destination safely. Our deputies will be conducting dedicated, high-visibility road patrols specifically looking for seat belt violations.

"A seat belt is the single most effective piece of safety equipment in your vehicle, but it only works if you use it," says Sheriff Matt Leirstein. "We want to build a culture of safety where buckling up is an automatic habit for every driver and passenger in Emmet County, every single trip."

Michigan has a primary seat belt law, meaning deputies can pull you over and issue a citation solely for not wearing a seat belt.

Everyone in the front seat, and all passengers age 16 and under in any seating position, must be buckled up. Children under 8 or shorter than 4'9" must be properly secured in an approved booster or car seat.

This will be strictly enforced and citations will be given.

No matter how short the drive, please pull that strap across and secure your passengers. Let's keep our community safe and skip the ticket.

05/15/2026

We are excited to announce a new way to stay connected with our community. Today, we officially launched our ECSO Safety Blog, where we’ll be sharing safety tips, law enforcement updates, and deep dives into the topics that matter most to our neighbors. The blog is located in the Emmet County Sheriff's Office App.

Our very first post is a "must-read" for everyone hitting the road this season: Two Wheels, One Road: Bicycle & Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

With the weather warming up and the scenery blooming, Emmet County’s roads are busier than ever. Whether you're a cyclist on the Wheelway, a rider on the Tunnel of Trees, or a motorist heading to work, safety is a shared responsibility.

In our first post, we cover:
✅ Critical gear checks for bikes and motorcycles.
✅ Michigan laws every rider (and driver) needs to know.
✅ How motorists can "Look Twice" to save a life.
✅ Tips for keeping the "Great North" safe for everyone.

Make sure to download our Emmet County Sheriff's Office app to read this and all future blog posts!

Download the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office App today! Available for both Apple & Android
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/emmet-county-sheriff-mi/id6743443731
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ocv.a1412&pcampaignid=web_share