Welcome to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Message From the Sheriff- Keep This Prom and Graduation Season Safe The Oakland County Sheriffs Office is asking for everyone's help in making this year's prom and graduation season a safe and healthy one for students throughout southeast Michigan. We urge everyone to support zero tolerance for underage drinking and illegal drug use.  Keep an open line of communication with your teen, but be firm in the no-alcohol-use-before-age-21 message you give your student. Parents should never host underage drinking parties or provide alcohol to anyone under 21. The costs of providing alcohol to minors are very high, and they carry significant legal consequences.  Parents should familiarize themselves with the the laws related to this topic. Providing alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail. Providing alcohol to a minor, where the consumption of the alcohol is a direct cause of that persons death, is a felony, punishable by a fine up to $5,000 or up to 10 years imprisonment or both. Anyone who is a witness to underage drinking should report it to your local police department (anonymously if you wish).  While you may have the best intentions when hosting a party in a young persons honor, having a gathering where alcohol is available to minors is a big mistake, and could result in your arrest, or worse yet, a tragedy resulting in the death or injury of innocent people. There are other guidelines to follow when addressing the topic of underage drinking.  They include: Don't allow your student to host or attend a party that is unsupervised by adults. Call the adult in charge of any party your teen attends. Make sure you are in agreement about what the adult supervision will be. If you drink, be a good role model in your own use of alcohol. Talk to your teen about how to say no to risky situations involving alcohol or drugs and still save face with their friends. Tell your teens that they can call you any time they are in a risky situation. Team up and talk with other parents. Provide opportunities for your student to host safe, alcohol-free parties and activities. If you suspect your student has an alcohol or drug problem, seek help. Call your school's counseling office or a substance abuse referral line at 1-800-362-5142.  Remember to let your student know you love them. - Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard 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. May 12, 2008-National Peace Officers Memorial Day Oakland County Sheriff's Office Annual Awards Day- Click Here to see who the honorees are. "Each year, it is truly my pleasure to be able to honor the men and women who serve and protect our community," said Sheriff Bouchard.  "I am proud of the remarkable job that is done by the officers from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office as well as surrounding agencies during the year 2007." 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. 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.