Welcome to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Message From the Sheriff Operation Dry Water- Don't Drink and Boat The Oakland County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and the U.S. Coast Guard are joining together in an intensified effort to detect intoxicated boaters and enforce Boating Under the Influence (BUI) laws. Operation Dry Water will focus on BUI enforcement during the weekend of June 26-28, 2009.  Over 20 percent of boating-related fatalities each year result from alcohol use. BUI is also illegal.  Operating a recreational vessel with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08% or higher is against most state and federal laws.  Penalties for BUI include fines, jail, impoundment of boat, loss of boating privileges, and loss of driving privileges. As we know, alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, slower reaction time and, most importantly, impaired judgment. The effects of alcohol on a boater are increased by the natural stressors placed on your body while boating. These stressors include the glare and heat of the sun, and the motion, noise, and vibrations of the vessel caused by wind and waves. These factors have a large impact on your body, many of which you may not even be aware. Many boaters do not understand, and often underestimate the fatigue that results from these stresses. Dehydration of your body in turn causes alcohol to be absorbed more quickly into your system. Research has proven that one-third of the amount of alcohol that it takes to make a person legally intoxicated on the road can make a boater equally intoxicated on the water. To minimize the risk of boating accidents, avoid alcohol. Always designate non-drinking boaters to operate the vessel and to act as an observer if your group plans to consume alcohol. Do not allow your skipper to continue to operate if he or she is drinking. Drinking while boating is a choice. The best thing you can do for your safety and the safety of other boaters is simple: “Don’t Drink and Boat!” Make the wise choice and have a safe and enjoyable summer. --Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard Senior Safety - Listen as Sheriff Bouchard talks about ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming a scam victim. (podcast) Spotlight ON: Oakland County Sheriff's Forensic Artist Barbara Martin Bailey Ms. Martin Bailey's work with  Project EDAN (Everyone Deserves a Name) is helping to identify missing or unidentified persons through facial reconstruction and artistry.  For the full story, click here.  You can help solve serious crimes.  If you have information about a crime you want to share anonymously, call Crime Stoppers of Southeast Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK UP. Oakland County Sheriff's Office CRIME TIPLINE is another way you can share information  to help solve crimes.  If you have information about any crime in Oakland County, please call 1-888-TURN-1-IN OR 1-888-887-6146. Getting to School Safely - Is your child's route to school safe? Sheriff Michael Bouchard talks about what parents can do to ensure their child has a safe route to and from school. (podcast) STOPPED Program (Sheriff Telling Our Parents and Promoting Educated Drivers) - Register your young driver's vehicle here! Protect your loved one and the community by joining STOPPED today. STOPPED is a voluntary parental notification system developed to reduce the number of young drivers who are injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes each year. Help Keep Young Drivers Safe - Sheriff Michael Bouchard talks about the STOPPED Program and how parents can get involved in this parental notification program to promote safe driving. (podcast)   Sending Cigars to the Troops- If you would like to help with shipping and/or purchasing additional cigars to send to Michigan Military Troops overseas, click here. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is proud to highlight the service of its post 9/11 military service veterans.                                                                                                                Protecting Your Child Against Internet Crimes - Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard talks about internet safety and how to protect your children against online predators. (podcast) Protecting Yourself from Law Enforcement Impersonators -  Sheriff Bouchard is warning citizens to beware of con artists trying to pose as a law enforcement official to gain access to personal information and property. Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial Website  Sheriff's Re-CYCLE for Kids -  Sheriff Michael Bouchard and local charitable organizations teaming up to provide bicycles to children who would not otherwise be able to afford one, bringing joy into a child's life.   The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is proud to be one of only fifteen recipients from across the nation to be honored with the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's Freedom Award. Oakland County Sheriff's Office Emergency Handbook-If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to sit down with your family and create your plan. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office has available an  Emergency Handbook (PDF file size 596k) which will help you in becoming more informed and more prepared. Included are guidelines which will assist you in making your plan, and also local resources you may access in the event of an emergency.