Welcome to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Message From the Sheriff- Winter Safe Driving Winter driving can be safe with planning and extra caution.  If you find yourself driving in the snow stay alert, slow down and stay in control. These are the three key elements to safe driving in the snow. Here are a few other tips for driving in the snow: • If you think you may be heading into snow or there is a possibility of driving in the snow, make sure you do a maintenance check on your vehicle before making the trip. Check the vehicle battery, belts and hoses, anti-freeze, oil, lights, brakes, heater and defroster and check the exhaust system for leaks which may allow carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle. • Plan your route ahead of time and give yourself extra travel time. Make sure someone knows your travel plans. • Wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement while at the wheel. Keep warm clothing available for when you exit the vehicle. • Always clear any snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors and the roof before driving. After starting the vehicle wait for the interior windows to clear of fog so you will have appropriate visibility. • Make sure there is sufficient windshield washer fluid in the vehicle reservoir and that it is rated for freezing temperatures. • It takes longer to stop on slippery surfaces, so add additional time to the three-second rule. • Know the proper handling procedures for a skidding vehicle. • Slow down in snow and icy conditions, make turns slowly, and make all starts slow and smooth. • Remember that bridges and overpasses may freeze before the regular travel lanes of a roadway. Watch out for black ice, areas of the roadway that appear black and shiny and where your vehicle can suddenly lose traction. Slow down in these areas and keep your foot off the brakes. • If you get stuck or stranded, don’t panic. Stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth. Wait for help to arrive. If you have a cell phone, try calling for help. Try to always know your exact locations while driving. • Keep your clothing dry. Wet clothing can lead to dangerous loss of body heat. • Keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle if you might be traveling into an area where you could encounter snow. --Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard Telephone Solicitation Warning: The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is a professional police organization that properly equips its deputies using funds from the County budget. The Sheriff's Office does not do any telephone soliciting of any kind, nor do we endorse the fundraising efforts of any organization claiming to be affiliated with the Sheriff’s Office. If you receive a call from somebody claiming to represent the Oakland County Sheriff's Office in a fundraising effort, please make a note of any information that could be helpful in identifying them. This includes: Any Caller ID information The date and time of the call What name(s) they use to identify themselves Any indication of their location Any claims they make about representing police agencies Please feel free to notify us with any information if you are contacted by a solicitor who claims to represent the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. Operation Medicine Cabinet- Drop off your expired prescription drugs at several locations throughout the County.  More locations to be added in 2010! The Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the Royal Oak Police Department, and Home Instead Senior Care have teamed up to kick-off another Operation Medicine CabinetTM prescription drug drop-off site at Royal Oak Police Department.  Individuals wishing to properly dispose of their unused or expired medications may bring them to Royal Oak PD at 221 E. Third St. in Royal Oak, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.  This program is NOT for commercial use. Other Operation Medicine CabinetTM collection sites include our locations in Pontiac, Rochester Hills and Commerce Township.  For more information on the program, please download our brochure. Since the program's inception in July, 2009, over 350 pounds of prescription drugs have been collected and destroyed. Thanks to all of our sponsors, Home Instead Senior Care, Beaumont Hospitals, Royal Oak Community Coalition, MichiganCaregiver.com, Mercy Home Care & Hospice, Genisys Credit Union, Smith's Disposal and Recycling, Meijer, and Costco for your participation.  Also, thanks to all of Oakland County's Community Coalitions, as well as the Oakland County Health Division's Office of Substance Abuse Services, whose support and partnership has helped make this program a success and make our community safer. School Bus Hazard Light Stop Informational Video 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) 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) 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) 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.   Spotlight ON: The RESULTS Program - The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is now providing professional and courteous drug and alcohol testing and the most accurate and reliable test results to our clients, agents, courts, and the general public. Parents, referring agents, and court-ordered clients are all eligible for quick, accurate, convenient RESULTS! 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. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is proud to be one of only fifteen recipients from across the nation in 2008 to be honored with the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's Freedom Award. 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.   Senior Safety - Listen as Sheriff Bouchard talks about ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming a scam victim. (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. 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.