FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT

Top 5 questions you should have answers to.............  

Why might I be stopped by the Police?

The Officer may have reason to suspect that you are in violation of a traffic or criminal law. It may be that a crime was committed nearby or the Officer believes that you might be able to assist in the investigation.  

Why does the Officer ask for Identification?

The Officer is trained to ask for identification.  You know you are dealing with a police Officer. The Officer merely wishes to know with whom he/she is dealing.

When a car is stopped at night, the Officers shine their lights into the car. Why is that?

Officers are trained to minimize their exposure to potential danger from within the stopped vehicle. At night, the bright light illuminates the interior of the vehicle; a safety consideration for the Officers.

If I have only been pulled over for a traffic offense, why do other police cars sometime show up?

It is not uncommon for Officers who are in close proximity to assist on another, even if they are not requested. This is a routine response for safety reasons.

Why do Officers sit in the car for so long when I have been pulled over?  What are they doing?

Technology allows Officers to determine your driving status and check your registration.  However, there are times when responses are delayed through no fault of the Officers. 

INFORMATIONAL FAQ'S

How do I get to the Police Department?

We are located at 3075 E Higgins Lk Dr., Roscommon, Mi. which is on the East side of Higgins Lake. 

From I-75 NB, you exit at the 239 Mile Marker exit to Roscommon, MI.  The exit is the same as the exit to the South Higgins Lake State Park.  After exiting turn South (left) on M-18.  Cross over I-75 and make a right on Co. Rd. 103 also known as W. Robinson Lake Rd.  Follow W. Robinson Lk Rd. approximately 2.5 miles to the blinker light.  Turn South (left) onto E. Higgins Lk Dr also known as Co Rd 100.  We are a tenth of mile South of the blinker light on the West side of the road.

FROM I-75 SB, you exit at the 244 mile marker exit to Roscommon, MI.   The exit is the same as the exit to the North Higgins Lake State Park and the DNR Ralph MacMullen Center.  After exiting, you will turn West (right) onto M-76 and the next road on your left is Co Rd 101 also know as Ivy Rd.   Turn South (left) and follow this road until you reach the top of a big hill (Pioneer Hill) at a stop signed intersection.  You will turn right on Co Rd 100 and follow this road for approximately 3 miles (you will go through a blinker light) and the Police Department will be on the West (right) side of the road.  We are the first brick building on the right South of the blinker light.

FROM US 127 NB, you will exit at the 201 mile marker to Higgins Lake, Mi.   This exit is the same exit that directs you to the South Higgins Lake State Park.  After exiting, you will turn East (right) onto Co Rd 104 also known as W. Marl Lk Rd. You will pass over US 127 and see a blinker light at the intersection of Co Rd 104/W Marl Lk RD and Old 127.  Cross through the intersection staying on Co Rd 104/W Marl Lk Rd.  The next blinker light will be 5-6 miles up the road.  Go straight through that blinker light and you will pass the South Higgins Lake State Park.  From that location we are approximately 3 miles North of that location on the same road your are on.  We are on the West (left) side of the road and the second Governmental brick building that you come to.                        

FROM US 127 SB,  you will exit at the 201 mile marker to Higgins Lake, Mi.  This exit is the same exit that directs you to the South Higgins Lake State Park.  After exiting, you will turn East (left) onto Co Rd 104 also known as W. Marl Lk Rd. You will pass over US 127 and see a blinker light at the intersection of Co Rd 104/W Marl Lk RD and Old 127.  Cross through the intersection staying on Co Rd 104/W Marl Lk Rd.  The next blinker light will be 5-6 miles up the road.  Go straight through that blinker light and you will pass the South Higgins Lake State Park.  From that location we are approximately 3 miles North of that location on the same road your are on.  We are on the West (left) side of the road and the second Governmental brick building that you come to.                       

FILING A POLICE REPORT: How do I file an accident or incident report?
Other than persons that come to the office to report a minor traffic offense, citizens of Gerrish Township are requested to dial 911 to report any type of accident emergency or non-emergency. Our office does not staff office personnel twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week; therefore, it is important that persons wishing to contact police, ambulance or fire service dial 911. To file hit and run accidents or minor complaints, you may do so at the Gerrish Township Police during normal business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

POLICE REPORTS: How do I obtain a copy of an accident report or police report?
Accident reports may be obtained at the Gerrish Township Police Department office at the cost of $10.00 per report. 

Incident reports can be obtained from our department when the complaint is closed and arrest or prosecution has occurred. Those reports are $10.00 as well.

CASE STATUS: How do I find out the status of my case?
If your case is a State misdemeanor case or a felony case, you can contact the Prosecuting Attorney's Office at 989-275-5233. If it is a Township Ordinance violation, you may contact this office Monday through Friday at 989-821-5207 for it's status.

FINES and CITATIONS: What is the fine on traffic or ordinance violations?
These fines are set by the 83rd District Court. Amounts of fines may vary from time-to-time as set by the Judge. Traffic citations normally are issued with a fine schedule being issued to the violator with a listing of current fines. Below are some helpful charts etc.  You may find out the cost of a traffic ticket at 989-275-5312 or an ordinance violation ticket by calling this office Monday through Friday at 989-821-5207.

 Per District Court, all tickets must be paid within 21 days of receipt of ticket to avoid late fees.  If your ticket is older than 21 days, or you wish to deny responsibility/plead not guilty, you must contact the District Court Office.

If you are a Michigan Resident and your license IS NOT suspended, personal checks are acceptable.  If you are not a Michigan resident or your license is suspended by the Court, bank certified checks or money orders only.  Make checks/money orders payable to:  "83RD DISTRICT COURT".

Fines and costs may also be paid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling Government Payment Services toll-free at 888/604-7888, pay location 1555, or by internet at:  https://fpdirect-40.fpdirect.com/gps.  A convenience fee will be assessed by the credit card provider. 

Questions regarding points associated with tickets will need to be addressed with any branch office of the Secretary of State.

The 83rd District Court DOES NOT take tickets under advisement under any circumstances!!!

If your speeding ticket was in a school or construction zone, or you were operating a semi truck, please note below for the appropriate fines and costs total.

 SPEEDING VIOLATIONS

(PASSENGER VEHICLES ONLY)

SPEEDING VIOLATIONS

 (PASSENGER VEHICLES - SCHOOL ZONE) 

SPEEDING VIOLATIONS

**(SEMI TRUCKS)

SPEEDING VIOLATIONS

**(SEMI TRUCK - SCHOOL ZONE)

**(SEMI TRUCK - CONSTRUCTION ZONE)

                            **All other semi truck violations, please call 989/275-5312                                                                   

OTHER TRAFFIC OFFENSES

(PASSENGER VEHICLES ONLY)

If the traffic violation you received is not listed above, you must call the Court 989/275-5315, extension 2.

PPO: Where do I apply for a Personal Protection Order?
The necessary paperwork for a Personal Protection Order (PPO) can be obtained at the County Clerk Office located in the Roscommon County Building at 111 Second St., Roscommon, Mi.  48653.  PPO's do not require you to retain an attorney. There is no fee for the service; however there is a fee for service of the PPO upon the individual named in the order. If you have questions or would like additional information, please call the Roscommon County Clerk's Office at 989-275-5923.

Walkers and Bicyclists: What are the rules for operating a bike or walking in the Township? 

Many citizens like to ride bicycles or walk around the Township as a pleasant form of exercise.  It is important to follow the rules of the road as required by State law for their safety.  Pedestrians who are walking in areas that lack sidewalks, walk outside the travel lane, facing traffic, as far to the edge or shoulder as possible.  If there is a sidewalk, pedestrians must walk on the sidewalk and not in the roadway.  Pedestrians are subject to traffic-control signals at intersections, and must walk in marked crosswalks to cross roadways.  Drivers of motor vehicles must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.  The Police Department strongly suggests bright colors or traffic safety vests for visibility reasons.

Bicyclists are to travel with traffic (same direction as cars) as far to the right as possible.  They are required by State law to obey all traffic control devices as practical (red lights, stop signs, etc.).  Bicycles are not to carry more persons than they are designed to carry.  If there is one seat on the bike, only one person can be on it at a time.  Bicyclers should not carry items that prevent them from having both hands on the handlebars.  When riding at night, bicycles must have a white reflector in the front, red reflector in the back, plus one headlight and one red taillight, all clearly visible.  Although not a law or ordinance, the Police Department strongly recommends the use of bike helmets.

 Go-Peds and Motorized Scooters:  What are the regulations for go-peds and motorized scooters?