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Road
Patrol
One of the Sheriff's Office's responsibilities is to patrol Houghton
County's 1044 Square Miles. Click
here for a map of the area covered.
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In addition to the Ford Crown
Victoria patrol cars, the department utilizes
three four-wheel drive vehicles.Two are Ford Expeditions and one is a Chevrolet pickup. The four-wheel drive capacity of each is especially helpful during the winter months. They are also used for towing the Department's Marine Patrol Boats, Jet Skiis and Snowmobiles. The pickup is also used by the Department's Animal Control Officers.
Each of the three vehicles have standard Michigan Sheriff Department markings and each is fully equipped with emergency lighting, etc. |
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The Department also utilizes a semi-marked patrol car. This car is used primarily for traffic enforcment. The lack of a roof-mounted light bar allows the officers to effectively enforce traffic laws as it if more difficult to be detected by motorists.
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Motor
Patrol
The Houghton County
Sheriff Department utilizes three Harley Davidson
Motorcycles as part of its patrol fleet. The
motorcycles are leased to the Department for
one-dollar per year each through a promotional
program by Motown Harley Davidson of Taylor,
Michigan.
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motorcycles are used for regular patrol, traffic
enforcement, parades and other special events.
According to Sheriff McLean, among the many
advantages of the motorcycles is their fuel
efficiency and the wear and tear they save on the
patrol car fleet, adding that each mile driven on
the cycles saves one mile on patrol units. |
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Snowmobile
Patrol
The Houghton County Sheriff Department maintains a full-time Snowmobile
Patrol from December 1st through March 31st. Seventy-five percent of the
total cost of the patrol is funded through a grant from the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources. The grant covers 75% of the wages, fuel,
maintenance and the equipment used by the program. Houghton County
funds the additional 25%.
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Polaris Ultra 680 and a 2002 Ski-Doo Grand Touring 600 can be seen
pictured below). The snowmobiles are purchased through the Natural
Resources grant from Polaris and Ski-Doo, both of which offer discounts on
snowmobiles used for Law Enforcement purposes.
Staffed by one full-time and several part-time Deputies, the Snowmobile
Patrol maintains a 40 to 60 hour a week schedule. Patrols work both day
and evening shifts, with the highest emphasis on weekends. The Patrol's
main responsibility on the trails is to be highly visible and to promote
safety. The most common citations issued are for Registration/Trail
Sticker violations and Careless Operation (excessive speed, etc.).
Alcohol related offenses are also strictly enforced.
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The Sheriff Department Snowmobiles are marked for high visibility. Each one is equipped with emergency lighting and decals.
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Deputy Keith Raffaelli takes a break on the Houghton waterfront during a day of patrolling the trails. The Portage Lake Liftbridge can be seen in the background.
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Jail
Facilities
The Houghton County
Sheriff's Office also maintains the county's
jail facilities.
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Marine
Patrol
Houghton County has over
30 square miles of water which the Sheriff's Office patrols. To learn more about our Marine
Patrol, click here!
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Work
Camp
In 1989, Public Act 511
was approved by the Legislature to begin a process
of an alternative to prison and jail called
Community Corrections. From this Act, the Tri-County
Community Corrections program has evolved. Click
here to learn more.
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Civil
Process
Civil process is a term
referring to the service of papers - subpoenas,
summons and complaints and other orders from any of
the courts. They are typically served by Deputy
Sheriffs, who are officers of the court. Civil
papers can be sent to this office or dropped off
personally at 403 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI
49931.
The charges for civil
process are:
- For service of a
set of papers to an individual or business:
$16.00
- For mileage
to/from the address of the court:
36 cents per mile.
These amounts are set
by the State of Michigan.
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