Petoskey Department of Public Safety

08/25/2026

On August 24th at approximately 9pm Petoskey Department of Public Safety officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle with no insurance. The male driver initially pulled into the Jet’s Pizza parking lot, then aggressively accelerated out of the parking lot back onto US 31 traveling south. Petoskey Public Safety Officers pursued the vehicle south on US 131 toward Charlevoix County. A Charlevoix County officer was successful in deploying spike strips eventually disabling the vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop on Thumb Lake Road after driving down an embankment into a swamp. The male driver fled on foot and the female passenger was taken into custody. Officers from Emmet County, Boyne City PD, MSP, Charlevoix County, established a perimeter in order to contain the suspect. Charlevoix County quickly deployed their departmental drone and the subject was located hiding in the swamp where he was subsequently taken into custody.

Requested charges include Flee and Elude, driving with license suspended/revoked, and numerous other misdemeanor traffic violations. The subject was also showing two warrants including one Nation-Wide Extradition warrant.

No officers or suspects were injured in the incident and no police equipment was damaged. The Petoskey Department of Public Safety would like to thank Charlevoix County, Emmet County, Boyne City PD and MSP for their assistance in apprehending this dangerous subject.

08/07/2026

We would like to make citizens aware that the City of Petoskey has reviewed and approved the required permits for a fireworks display at a private event in Bay Harbor. This event will occur tomorrow August 8 at dusk. The fireworks will be professionally managed and launched from a barge in accordance with the approved permit. The exact location is between the Peninsula frontage and Sunset Beach.

Thank you!

08/03/2026

Two of our officers had the opportunity to celebrate a special milestone with their fathers—one who recently retired after a long career in law enforcement and one who is preparing to retire next month.

You may recognize the special guest who recently joined one of our Public Safety Officers for a shift. Sgt. Mike Givens of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Police spent part of his final shift on duty alongside his son, PSO Dallas Givens. It was a meaningful opportunity to share the experience of serving together before Sgt. Givens officially closed out an incredible 26-year career in law enforcement.

PSO Connor Kish also had the opportunity to celebrate with his father, Detective First Lieutenant Thomas Kish of the Michigan State Police. D/F/Lt. Kish has dedicated 30 years to law enforcement, serving in a variety of roles including Internet Crimes Against Children investigations, drug enforcement teams, and as Post Commander of the MSP Flint, Lansing, and Lapeer Posts. He currently serves as Commander of the MSP Ma*****na and To***co Investigation Section and will retire next month.

Congratulations to Sgt. Givens and D/F/Lt. Kish on your well-deserved retirements! Thank you for your years of service, your commitment to your communities, and for setting an example that inspired the next generation to answer the call.

From the entire Petoskey Public Safety Department, we wish you both a very happy, relaxing, and enjoyable retirement!

07/20/2026

The Petoskey Department of Public Safety has fielded several messages in regards to the incident at Blissfest. Please note that the location where Blissfest is held is not within the City of Petoskey, therefore we have no jurisdiction. For more information on this incident, please review the attached Press Release from the Emmet County Sheriff's Office.

EMMET COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING BLISSFEST INVESTIGATION.

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a serious incident that occurred at Blissfest Music Festival this past weekend involving an adult male who sustained severe lacerations to the neck area. At this stage of the investigation, it remains undetermined whether these injuries were self-inflicted or the result of an altercation involving another individual. It has come to our attention that a social media platform is currently circulating unsubstantiated rumors and false claims regarding the nature of this event. This spread of misinformation has resulted in an influx of non-relevant inquiries, which is actively detracting from our investigators' ability to process critical evidence and pursue leads.

Direct Cooperation:

We urgently request that any individual who attended Blissfest and has relevant information or who may have witnessed this incident contact the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office directly rather than sharing details on social media.

Verify Before Sharing:

We ask the public to refrain from spreading unverified accounts or rumors. Misinformation creates unnecessary alarm and directly impedes the efficacy of law enforcement operations.

Monitor Official Channels:

For all confirmed, verified, and authorized updates regarding this investigation, please monitor only the official Emmet County Sheriff’s Office social media pages and mobile application.

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office prides itself on maintaining the highest standards of professional investigative rigor, transparency, and public service.

As an agency, we are committed to the safety and well-being of our community, ensuring that every investigation is handled with the precision and confidentiality that our citizens deserve.

During complex and sensitive incidents, our personnel work tirelessly to gather objective facts, setting aside the noise of conjecture to prioritize justice and public safety.

We appreciate the community’s continued trust and cooperation in allowing us to conduct this investigation with the diligence necessary to reach a definitive resolution.

To provide information, please contact the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office directly at:

Main (231)439-8900

E-mail: [email protected]

or

remain anonymous and submit tip/information through our mobile application.

07/14/2026

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

We are looking to add another full-time Public Safety Officer to our team. Applicants for this important community service position must: (1) Be a United States Citizen; (2) Have a High School Diploma or GED; (3) Have a valid Michigan Driver’s License; (4) Successfully complete oral and physical fitness examinations; (5) Undergo psychological screening and medical examinations, including a drug screen; and (6) Pass a background investigation.

The following qualifications are preferred but not necessary for application: (1) Be currently certified or certifiable under the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, (2) Possess Michigan certifications as a Firefighter 1 and 2, (3) Certification as a Basic Emergency Medical Technician, (4) Possess a 2-year or 4-year college degree. The City of Petoskey is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and pledged to non- discrimination in employment as required by law.

For more information, including a detailed job description and application packet, please visit our website at https://www.petoskey.us/job_detail_T8_R61.php

06/29/2026

As you prepare for your 4th of July festivities, please keep these things in mind:

Fireworks
•At the conclusion of the Bay Harbor Fireworks on July 3rd, NO traffic will be allowed to enter the Bay Harbor main entrance at Bay Harbor Drive. This will remain closed until the traffic from spectators have been cleared out. We estimate this time to be at about 10:30 P.M. – 11:30 P.M.

•At the conclusion of the Petoskey Fireworks on July 4th, NO traffic will be allowed to enter the Bay Front Park main entrance on Lake Street. This will remain closed until the traffic from spectators have been cleared out. We estimate this time to be at about 10:30 P.M. – 11:30 P.M.

•The bike path between Kilwins and the turn around on Bay Front Drive will be closed July 4th at 2:00 P.M. to allow for fireworks to be safely set up

•The bike path on the north side of Bay View Rd will be closed for safety. The bike path along Arlington will remain open and you may cross at the stop light at Bay View Rd and MacDonald and use this pass. The tunnel to get to Bay Front Drive will be open as well

•The ignition, discharge, or use of consumer fireworks on private property shall be limited to the following days after 11:00 A.M.:
o June 29 -July 4 until 11:45 P.M. each day
o July 5, if that date is a Friday or Saturday, until 11:45 P.M.

Parade
•Parade begins at 6:00 P.M.

•Participants will line up beginning on Hill Street. Route will begin north on Kalamazoo, west on East Mitchell, North on Petoskey, East on East Lake Street and disperse on East Lake and Division

•Road closures for the above will begin at approximately 5:00 P.M.

•Observers may not stand on the islands

Have a Safe and Happy 4th!

06/29/2026

We are happy to introduce our new Public Safety Officer, Nicholas Newton!

PSO Newton joins our department with two years of law enforcement experience from the Greenfield Police Department in Greenfield, Wisconsin. During his service there, he demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety, professional policing, and community engagement.

In addition to his law enforcement career, Officer Newton serves as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He currently serves as a Combat Engineer Platoon Commander, where he is responsible for leading Marines in training and operational readiness. His military service has provided him with valuable leadership experience, sound decision-making abilities, and a commitment to excellence that will benefit both our department and the community we serve.

PSO Newton has continued to invest in his professional development through specialized law enforcement training. Most recently, he successfully completed ARIDE training and Operation RUSH interdiction training. These courses have enhanced his ability to identify impaired drivers and recognize indicators of drug-related offenses during traffic enforcement activities.

Officer Newton is eager to bring his combination of military leadership, professional law enforcement experience, and commitment to service to the City of Petoskey.

06/11/2026

We would like to thank everyone who came out to our Open House last weekend. We had a great turnout once again and enjoyed speaking with everyone. We would also like to thank the other agencies that joined us including American Red Cross, CCE Central Dispatch, Emmet EMS, Emmet County Sheriff's Office, Little Traverse Bay Bands Tribal Police, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Michigan State Police, North Flight Aero Med, Northern Michigan Mutual Aid Task Force, Office of Emergency Management, and Resort Bear Creek Fire Department.

We couldn't have done this event without the help of our sponsors. A big thank you to AmeriGas, Bay Area Clean Care, Bill and Carol's, Lake Effect Restoration, Meijer, and Plath's Meats.

06/09/2026

We would like to introduce our Park Security Officer for this summer, Cadet Peyton Harmon. Cadet Harmon is a Petoskey native and is currently a student at Grand Valley State University where he is studying Criminal Justice. After completing his education, he has goals of working in law enforcement. We feel he is a great addition to our Department and look forward to working with him this summer.

Every summer season, the Public Safety Department adds Park Security Officers, or Cadets, to our team. The Cadets provide foot, bike, and vehicle patrol of the downtown business district, City parks, and special events. The provide assistance to citizens and work closely with Public Safety Officers.

Please join us in welcoming Cadet Harmon!

06/05/2026

Reminder: Our Open House is tomorrow from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Come see us at our fire station on Lake Street!