District 1 counties of service: Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon.
Conservation Officer (CO) Ethen Mapes assisted the Ontonagon County Sheriff's Office with locating a subject threatening to harm themself. The subject was located and agreed to a voluntary evaluation.
While patrolling the Black River Harbor, CO Jenni Lehto was flagged down by an angler who discovered a lost dog. CO Lehto collected the dog and checked the area for the owner prior to bringing the dog to H.O.P.E. animal shelter. The owner reclaimed its dog a day later.
CO Jenni Lehto assisted Gogebic County deputies on a motorcycle crash in Ironwood Township. Two riders were severely injured when their motorcycle hit a deer. Both victims were airlifted to a trauma center.
While under a “High Fire Danger” warning in Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar located two separate landowners burning when not permitted. In both instances, the landowners were burning large piles of solid waste. One landowner was burning scrap metal and construction debris. The other landowner was burning aluminum cans, mattresses, and tires. Both landowners were issued misdemeanor citations for open burning of solid waste. Warnings were issued for burning when not permitted.
In central Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar responded to a motor vehicle versus tractor crash. CO Sajtar arrived on scene with local law enforcement to find the passenger vehicle in several pieces and the John Deere tractor split in half. A preliminary investigation revealed the passenger vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck the tractor broadside. The operator of the passenger vehicle was transported by emergency medical services (EMS) to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment. The operator of the tractor was treated at the scene and released. The investigation was turned over to the Michigan State Police (MSP) for accident reconstruction.
CO Phil Helminen was on marine patrol in Iron County when he observed a personal watercraft (PWC) jet ski towing a tube and there was no observer on the PWC. CO Helminen stopped the PWC and advised the operator he needed an observer on the PWC while towing. The driver stated he did not know the rules for towing. The operator was cited for towing without an observer.
CO Alex VanWagner and Probationary Conservation Officer (PCO) Olivia Haerr responded to an ATV crash in Crystal Falls. An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) had overturned steering through a corner at an intersection. The subject sustained injuries and was transported to Aspirus Hospital for treatment. A citation was issued to the driver of the ATV. The COs were assisted by Iron County deputies and EMS.
CO Alex VanWagner and PCO Olivia Haerr responded to a large reservoir in Iron County for a report of stranded boaters. The boaters advised they hit something with their propeller and had lower unit damage. They were unable to get help for a couple hours and had been stranded in the heat. The COs responded and towed the boat back to a launch for their safety as it was getting late in the evening. The COs located someone to escort the subjects back to the resort they were staying at, and all boaters were okay.
Sergeant (Sgt.) Mark Leadman responded to a complaint of someone cutting down oak trees on state land and cutting them into firewood. Sgt. Leadman responded and found where three trees had been cut down and some of the firewood was still lying on the ground from a freshly fallen oak. Sgt. Leadman patrolled the area over the next two hours and was notified when a chainsaw could be heard at the site. Sgt. Leadman, along with a forester from the DNR, contacted the subject at the site. The suspect admitted to cutting down one of the three trees and was issued a ticket on the spot for illegally taking the wood off state land. The subject agreed to return the firewood to the nearby DNR Office in lieu of receiving a more severe penalty including triple stumpage value of the oak tree.
CO John Kamps contacted an angler on the Yellow Dog River who did not have a fishing license in possession. The angler assured CO Kamps that his license was in his truck. With no radio coverage to run the subject’s name for a license on scene, CO Kamps walked back to his patrol truck to find out that the individual had not purchased a license for the past few years. The CO re-contacted the angler and issued him a citation for fishing without a license.
District 2 counties of service: Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac, Luce, Schoolcraft.
While on patrol near Mackinac Island for sailboat races, COs Robert Freeborn, Mike Olesen, and PCO Alex French observed a rubber dingy on Lake Huron with no registration. After contacting the operator, it was determined the operator did not have the vessel registered and did not have a personal flotation device (PFD) on board. PCO Alex French issued a citation for no PFD and a warning for failure to register a watercraft. During the same patrol, another sailboat was observed without a registration. Upon further investigation it was determined the owner had not registered the vessel since 2008. A citation was issued for failing to register his vessel.
CO Mike Olesen was off duty when he observed black smoke coming from an area in Chippewa County. CO Olesen began his shift and immediately went to the scene where house debris such as couches and mattresses were being burnt. CO Olesen cited the subject who started the fire for illegal disposal of solid waste.
CO Mike Olesen was on patrol in Chippewa County when he was checking an area commonly fished for salmon and had received complaints in the past of individuals snagging fish. CO Olesen surveyed the area and observed an individual attempting to snag salmon. Contact with the angler was made and they were also found to be in possession of a snagging hook. CO Olesen cited the individual for possession of a snagging hook and attempting to snag salmon.
CO Mike Olesen was on marine patrol on the St. Mary’s River when he came across a vessel being followed by a group of swimmers, later discovered to be a memorial swim for the Edmund Fitzgerald. While observing the swimmers, it was apparent that they had diverted from their escort vessel. CO Olesen noticed a powerboat approaching at high speed. CO Olesen positioned his patrol vessel between the swimmers and oncoming vessel to ensure the boater stayed a safe distance from those swimming.
COs Scott Pankow and Justin Vinson assisted with establishing and enforcing a security zone along the Mackinac Bridge during the Swim the Mack event. The event provides an opportunity for individuals to swim the Straits of Mackinac. The conditions were perfect, and all swimmers made the swim successfully.
District 3 counties of service: Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego, Presque Isle.
CO Nathan Beelman had just checked into service when dispatch reported a 911 call that a female had confessed to killing someone and then abruptly hung up. CO Beelman responded with the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Department, but did not get an answer at the door. The sheriff’s deputies and CO Beelman made entry to the home where they found a female seated on the floor of the kitchen holding a knife and making suicidal statements. After a brief negotiation, the female dropped the knife and was taken into protective custody for a medical evaluation. The rest of the home was searched, and no victim was found or any evidence of a second person in the home at the time of the incident.
CO Nathan Beelman responded to a call of a seagull with a fishing line and embedded hooks in its wing causing it to not be able to fly. CO Beelman was able to grab the seagull before it entered the water and was able to remove multiple hooks and a few yards of line that had entangled the seagull. It was able to be released without incident.
CO Adam LeClerc was on an evening patrol on Walloon Lake when he observed a PWC operating well after sunset on the lake. The PWC was stopped and contacted. When contacted the operator said they were looking at how to turn on the navigation lights. CO LeClerc advised that it was impossible because PWCs are not equipped with navigation lights. A ticket was issued for operating a PWC between sunset and 8 AM.
A group patrol was conducted at Wilderness State Park focusing on protecting the nesting piping plovers on the beach and the “No Dogs on Beach” between April 15th and August 31st per the Director’s Order. COs Adam LeClerc, Chad Baldwin, Nathan Beelman, and Jack Gorno used their department issued e-bikes to patrol the beach area. Five tickets were issued for allowing a dog in a closed area. The piping plover is a beach nesting bird that is a threatened species.
CO Jack Gorno observed anglers trolling on Mullett Lake. Upon contact, the vessel was fishing four lines. With two people on board, CO Gorno asked for licenses, and one angler advised he was not fishing. CO Gorno issued tickets for the violation.
CO Jack Gorno contacted two subjects kayaking in Otsego Lake. One out of two subjects were without a PFD. CO Gorno explained the importance of a PFD while kayaking. The subject stated she thought about grabbing one beforehand but didn’t know it was a law. CO Gorno issued a ticket and escorted her to shore.
COs Matt Theunick, Jack Gorno, and PCO Joe Budnick taught at a hunter safety field day event at the Indian River Lions Club. There were 65 students present at the event and the COs presented on what COs duties are in the state of Michigan. They also went through the 2025 deer hunting regulation summary to highlight important rules and regulations that the new hunters must follow to ensure they have a safe and lawful hunt.
CO Matt Theunick and PCO Joe Budnick received a complaint of a box of screws that had been spilled in a busy intersection in Indian River with multiple people having flat tires. The COs responded with brooms acquired from the local field office and removed the hazard from the intersection while directing traffic.
CO Matt Theunick and PCO Joe Budnick received a call from central dispatch reporting a hit and run of a female who had been struck by a trailer at a local boat launch. The COs responded with the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department and MSP to the boat launch. The female was seen by emergency medical services (EMS) on scene. The COs then assisted with interviewing the suspect. A report is being sent to the prosectors office.
CO Jon Sklba responded to an accident report in Presque Isle County. Little information was known, but CO Sklba was in the area and responded quickly. Once on scene, it was determined that a cell phone automatically contacted 911 to report a crash because of an impact it had due to being left on a vehicle as a couple drove away. The self-reported accident only involved the phone, and it was eventually located alongside the roadway.
COs Jon Sklba and Sgt. Paul Fox attended a career day during the 4-H natural resources camp at Camp Chickagami in Presque Isle County. The camp was geared towards middle and high school age kids who have an interest in the outdoors and natural resources. COs Sklba and Sgt. Fox discussed the responsibilities of COs, the hiring process, and natural resources protection. Approximately 100 campers attended the camp.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling in Montmorency County when he observed a white pick-up truck traveling in circles repeatedly in the middle of a busy intersection. CO Liestenfeltz initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and upon contacting the driver, they stated that they had a firearm in the vehicle and were retired from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CO Liestenfeltz asked if the subject had any retirement credentials and they stated they did not. CO Liestenfeltz observed that the driver was wearing an ICE Officer hat and had a Homeland Security Special Operations jacket displayed in the rear window. When asked why those items were displayed like that, the driver replied so they can get out of a ticket when pulled over by law enforcement. Suspicious of the situation, CO Liestenfeltz had the subject step out of the vehicle. After a search of the vehicle, CO Liestenfeltz located a fraudulent Florida driver’s license, fraudulent Homeland Security credentials, an “ICE Officer” challenge coin badge that was displayed as a badge, and several other items that appeared to be falsified documents. CO Liestenfeltz also located five loaded pistols, several knives, two of which were double edged, two batons, handcuffs, and a large quantity of prescription pills. The MSP arrived on scene and contacted someone from ICE who stated there was no record of the subject ever working with ICE. CO Liestenfeltz placed the subject into custody and lodged them without issue. The subject was charged with felony uttering and publishing, carrying a concealed weapon, felony firearm, possessing a forged driver’s license, and unlawful possession and displaying of law enforcement equipment and parts. The investigation is ongoing with multiple law enforcement agencies.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling in Montmorency County when he heard a motorcycle that seemed to be operating at a very high rate of speed. CO Liestenfeltz was able to use his RADAR speed measurement device and observed the motorcycle operating at 78 mph coming out of a 45-mph zone and entering a 55-mph zone. CO Liestenfeltz initiated a stop on the motorcycle and ultimately issued the operator a ticket for the speeding violation.
CO Jon Sheppard checked a dispersed campsite without a camp permit in Alpena County. No contact was made at the campsite, but CO Sheppard did notice a life jacket made for a dog. Later, CO Sheppard noticed a man with a large backpack walking a dog on the road near where the campsite was located. CO Sheppard made contact and determined that it was the owner of the campsite. CO Sheppard advised the man that he needed a dispersed camp permit and to move camp at least one mile every 15 days. No citations were issued.
District 4 counties of service: Benzie, Grand Traverse, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, Wexford.
COs Zack Walters and Logan Turner attended the College for Kids First Responder Program at West Shore Community College. Both CO Turner and Walters spoke about the duties and responsibilities of a conservation officer.
COs Charlie Jones and Rich Stowe assisted with a hunter safety class at the Walton Junction Sportsman’s Club in Grand Traverse County. The COs helped teach students the importance of safe and ethical hunting. Additionally, the COs taught the students what roles and responsibilities Michigan conservation officers have while on patrol and answered any questions the students might have.
CO Amanda Weaver participated in a saturation patrol of the Platte River with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park rangers, MSP, and Benzie County Sheriff’s Office. The patrol intent is to restore a family friendly environment on the river. CO Weaver issued several citations for PFD violations for kayakers on the river.
COs Anna Cullen and Ryan Jager doubled up working Oceana County and checked several anglers near Pentwater Lake. One of the anglers stated they had a fishing license but did not have it on them. The subject provided their name and date of birth so the COs could look up the license. It was found that the angler has never purchased a fishing license. Enforcement action was taken.
COs Angela Greenway and Sgt. Ben Shively were working the Silver Lake State Park ORV Area and were driving up the entrance ramp when a dirt bike drove between them and a Jeep at an excessive speed. Sgt. Shively obtained a speed reading of 40 mph in the posted 15 mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted on the dirt bike, and the subject was cited for exhibition driving/speed on the entrance ramp.
District 5 counties of service: Alcona, Arenac, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Roscommon.
CO Ryan Weakman was patrolling Budd Lake when he observed a subject fishing from a kayak. As he approached, the subject quickly grabbed his phone and began typing. CO Weakman identified himself and requested a fishing license, which the subject showed on his phone with a time stamp matching the time of contact. The angler admitted he had forgotten to purchase it beforehand. A vessel safety check revealed there was no PFD on board. CO Weakman issued a citation for no PFD and gave a warning for fishing without a license prior to purchase.
CO Jacob Hamilton was patrolling Kalkaska County when he observed a subject operating a four-wheeler without a helmet or valid ORV license. After stopping the rider, the subject claimed he was trying to reach the main road for help after his friend’s truck broke down but later admitted they had been riding on state land trails all afternoon. A file check revealed a warrant out of Otsego County. CO Hamilton issued a citation for no helmet and arrested the subject, who was lodged in the Kalkaska County Jail.
Sgt. Brian Olsen and COs Kyle Cherry and Matt Zultak assisted with a hunter safety class held at Roscommon Baptist Church in Roscommon County. The COs helped run various stations and drills, including archery and firearms ranges, and delivered a law presentation to the participants.
CO Casey Pullum and PCO Evan White responded to an ORV crash involving a dirt bike and a side-by-side on a wooded trail. The 911 dispatcher provided GPS coordinates, which led them to the scene where they directed EMS, fire, and Oscoda County deputies. PCO White triaged the injured rider, who had a possible broken leg but no life-threatening injuries. Once EMS arrived, the COs turned care over and began their investigation. They found the side-by-side exceeded the 50-inch width limit for the trail. A citation was issued to the side-by-side driver and EMS transported the injured subject to the hospital.
Sgt. Brian Olsen and CO John Huspen worked the annual canoe marathon in Crawford County. The COs assisted the Grayling Police Department, Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, and MSP in providing security for the event.
Sgt. Brian Olsen and COs Matthew Zultak, Kyle Cherry, and Jacob Hamilton worked the annual Bud Bash event on Houghton Lake in Roscommon County. The event draws a large crowd onto the waters of Houghton Lake. The COs addressed marine and alcohol violations on the water.
COs Joshua Jobin and Sgt. Phil Hudson attended the Eastern Arenac Sportsman’s Club annual hunter safety class. Several students were educated on various game and ORV laws pertaining to hunting and all successfully passed the hunter education class.
COs Josh Russell and Jeff Goss were on patrol in Gladwin County when they received an image from a hidden camera showing a side-by-side operating in a closed area. The COs were near the location and intercepted the machine on the county road. Upon contact, the COs observed a minor, sitting on the adult driver’s lap, controlling the machine without a seat belt. They also found an open beer in the cup holder. Citations were issued for violations.
CO Kyle Bader was patrolling northbound on M-65 when he came upon a Ford F150 Lightning blocking the entire northbound lane during a busy Friday afternoon. The truck was towing a tandem axle box trailer and had run out of battery about 1.5 miles from a charging station. The occupants attempted to unhook the trailer and drive the truck without the load, but it still would not move. They then tried using the trailer’s weight to pull the truck down a slight incline, but the trailer had shifted and was too heavy to move. CO Bader blocked the lane and directed traffic, then allowed the driver to plug into his patrol truck to try charging the vehicle, but that also failed. A tow truck was eventually called to remove the vehicle, and after about an hour, the highway was reopened to two-way traffic.
COs Paul Lyden, Jesse Grzechowski, Kyle Bader, PCO Nico Luna, and Corporal Jason King represented the DNR Law Enforcement Division in a friendly shooting competition against troopers from various MSP Posts across northern Michigan during their off-duty time. The competition included duty pistol, patrol rifle, and shotgun events. After the smoke cleared, the conservation officers emerged victorious and won the competition.
District 6 counties of service: Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Montcalm, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola.
CO Mike Haas and PCO Cody Simmons noted a vehicle parked at a boat launch in Montcalm County well after dark. The COs noted the vehicle’s registration was expired and lacked insurance. The COs located subjects wading and fishing in the lake not far from the park. A citation was issued to one of the subjects for fishing without a fishing license and the group was warned for trespassing on the park property after dusk.
CO Michael Lator was patrolling Gratiot County when he observed an angler fishing in a popular spot at a local park. While approaching the angler, the CO observed the angler pick a fish out of a bucket near his feet and throw it back into the water. The CO also located an additional dead largemouth bass floating on top of the water near the angler. When questioned, the angler told the CO that he threw the fish back because he knew it was close to the legal-size limit. Further investigation revealed several other bass in the angler’s bucket that appeared to be undersized. CO Lator instructed the man to retrieve the bass from the shallow water and then measured the four bass, all of which were shorter than the legal-size limit of 14 inches. All four short bass were seized, and a citation was issued for possessing short largemouth bass.
CO Kory Crawley had been investigating a complaint that spanned over several weeks that involved a subject shooting deer from a motor vehicle. The subject had been seen one morning walking in a field with a rifle after the complainant had heard a gunshot. In that field was a buck that had been shot with the antlers being removed. Later that day, CO Crawley observed the suspect vehicle in a farm field and soon after heard a gunshot. CO Crawley was able to contact the subject who had been issued crop damage permits but was not following the rules associated with them. Law enforcement action was taken regarding the incident.
COs in District 6 worked multiple group patrols around Saginaw Bay, targeting aquatic invasive species (AIS) violations. During the patrols numerous boaters were stopped after leaving boating access sites when they were observed transporting weeds on trailers and watercraft. One subject stated he knew all the weeds were on his trailer, but it was too hot to clean it off. Citations were issued to address the violations.
District 7 counties of service: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St Joseph, Van Buren.
CO Sam Schluckbier was following up on an ongoing homeless encampment in Allegan County. When speaking to one of the individuals who has been asked to leave the state game area on previous encounters, he became angry and aggressive toward CO Schluckbier. After a verbal altercation where he would not comply with CO Schluckbier’s orders, a TASER was used to subdue the subject and arrest him for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The subject was lodged in the Allegan County Jail.
District 8 counties of service: Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Shiawassee.
CO Thomas Jaakkola was contacted by Station 20 about a Report all Poaching (RAP) complaint of subjects taking undersized bass. CO Jaakkola contacted the subjects and after talking with them, they stated that they had caught three bass. CO Jaakkola observed a stringer tied to the bridge as one subject stated, “Bass have to be what 12 or 13 inches?” CO Jaakkola advised the subject that they need to be 14 inches, then the subject stated he didn’t have a tape measure with him. CO Jaakkola looked into the water and could see the bass which appeared to be undersized at which CO Jaakkola pulled the stringer up out of the water to measure the fish. The largest bass was 13 inches and during conversation, the subject stated that he only caught two of them and his friend caught the other one. Both subjects were issued citations for possessing undersized largemouth bass.
CO Wes Butler was traveling on I-96 when a vehicle passed him going approximately 100 miles per hour. When the vehicle passed him, he also noticed that the vehicle did not have a license plate. CO Butler initiated a traffic stop to address the issue. CO Butler contacted the driver and explained to her that the reason for the stop was her excessive speed and no license plate. The driver explained to CO Butler that it is a recent purchase, and she hadn’t gotten around to getting it registered yet. CO Butler looked at the vehicle title and saw that the vehicle was purchased three months ago. CO Butler then asked if she ever got temporary registration or insurance for the vehicle, she had neither. CO Butler issued the woman a citation for speeding and for driving an unregistered vehicle. A warning was given for not having insurance.
District 9 counties of service: Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair.
CO Brad Silorey was off duty when he received a RAP complaint from DNR dispatch. CO Silorey contacted the caller who stated she was kayaking on Lake St. Clair when she observed a man shooting at geese from shore into the lake, with what appeared to be a rifle. The caller stated she heard numerous shots and observed the suspect shoot and kill at least one goose. She stated that after killing the goose, the suspect then casually waved at his neighbors and walked back to his residence. CO Silorey checked into service to respond to the call. After gathering the location details, CO Silorey was able to locate the suspect’s residence and, from a nearby street, observed a goose carcass floating. With assistance from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Marine Division, CO Silorey was able to recover two goose carcasses. CO Silorey contacted the suspect at his residence where he obtained a full confession and recovered a .22 caliber air rifle with a high-powered scope. The suspect was disgruntled that the geese would leave a mess in his yard and stated he would only shoot at them to scare them away. The suspect was advised of the numerous wildlife laws he was breaking including, taking geese out of season, hunting waterfowl without a license, hunting waterfowl with a single projectile, safety zone violations, and careless discharge of a weapon. The two carcasses were retained as evidence, as well as the weapon. The investigation is ongoing, and charges will be filed with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office for the violations.
CO Sydney Griffor was working at Dodge 4 State Park. While at the boat launch, CO Griffor watched an individual drive fast through the parking lot. While speaking to the driver as he was loading his PWC on the trailer, CO Griffor advised him not to power load and he decided to power load anyway. The individual was issued a citation.
CO Zackary Cardinal noticed a vessel waving down boaters on the Holloway Reservoir asking for assistance with getting their boat back to the dock due to engine trouble. Upon contact with the boater, CO Cardinal determined that the boater had an improper number of PFDs on board, no throwable PFD, no fire extinguisher, and an expired 2025 registration on the vessel. CO Cardinal assisted the boater back to the launch and the captain was cited for violations regarding safety and was given a break on the registration.
District 10 counties of service: Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne.
COs Dave Schaumburger and Sydney Griffor stopped a boat approximately 40 minutes after sunset operating with no navigation lights. Ironically, the boat was an inspected charter boat, and the captain was a USCG licensed charter boat captain. When asked why she didn’t have her lights on, she stated, “Oh, I must have forgot.” A citation was issued for no navigation lights.
While on patrol at Dodge 4 State Park, COs Dave Schaumburger and Kris Kiel spotted a vessel operating a half hour after sunset with no lights on. The COs went to the boat ramp, and sure enough, the boat pulled in. When CO Dave Schaumburger asked why he did not have lights on, the operator said, “I don’t know what I’m doing”. The operator was issued a citation for no navigation lights.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll and PCO Andrew Werth conducted a traffic stop on a speeding motor vehicle. The COs utilized their radar unit to verify that the vehicle was traveling 86 mph in a 45-mph zone. The COs contacted the operator and smelled the odor of alcohol coming from the operator’s breath. The operator was administered standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) to see if it was safe to let the operator drive home. A preliminary breath test (PBT) was administered, and the test resulted in the operator blowing a .12, which is above the legal limit. The operator was arrested for OWI and lodged at Monroe County Jail. A citation was also issued for speeding 86 mph in a 45-mph zone and open intoxicants found in the vehicle.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll and PCO Andrew Werth were conducting a marine patrol on Lake Erie. The COs contacted two individuals who were kayaking right outside of Sterling State Park. The kayakers admitted to the COs that they did not have PFDs with them on their kayaks. The COs issued citations for no PFD and, while issuing the citation, one of the kayakers was taking on water. The COs advised them this is why they need life jackets on board their kayaks and made sure they made it back to land safely.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll and PCO Andrew Werth were conducting a marine patrol at Bolles Harbor. The COs witnessed a vessel that was operating after sunset without proper navigation lights and not having a valid registration. The vessel was showing a registration from 2010. When the driver was questioned, he stated he bought the boat two months ago and has been working on it and has not had it registered. The operator was cited for failure to use proper navigation lights and issued a warning for failing to register the vessel within 15 days.
While patrolling Sterling State Park, CO Brandon Vacek observed a PWC towing a tuber without an observer in Lake Erie. The operator was contacted at the shoreline where the CO issued the subject a citation for towing without an observer.
While patrolling the beach and swimming area on Belle Isle State Park, PCO Cody Simmons and CO Mike Haas smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana. The COs witnessed a subject openly smoking marijuana and contacted her. A citation was issued for the use of marijuana in a public place.
PCO Cody Simmons and CO Mike Haas were working speed enforcement on Belle Isle when they witnessed a driver operating at 50 mph in a 25-mph zone. The COs noted that the driver was not only speeding as they entered the park, but they were also holding a cellphone over the steering wheel and focusing on the phone rather than on the road. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was cited for speeding and warned for using a cellphone while driving.
CO Elliot Worel was patrolling Belle Isle when he observed two females walk into the woods from Central Avenue and toward the abandoned zoo. Not sure if the two parkgoers were taking a detour from the regular trails or attempting to enter the closed section of the park. CO Worel waited for some time before contacting Sgt. Keven Luther for assistance and knowledge of the old zoo. CO Worel and Sgt Luther identified the path used by the two females to bypass the fencing and physical barriers to keep people out. CO Worel and Sgt Luther located the two females in the center of the abandoned zoo, who claimed they just went there to eat their McDonalds. The two were escorted out of the zoo and were both issued citations for Enter/Use/Occupy Where Posted Against. The two were also given verbal warning for Using Marijuana in a Public Place and were instructed to dump all remaining marijuana.
COs Brad Silorey, Dave Schaumburger, Sydney Griffor, Lisa Taube, and Brandon Vacek conducted a joint marine patrol on the Detroit River. The patrol was in response to numerous complaints regarding careless PWC operation around Belle Isle. CO Silorey observed a subject on a PWC enter a canal that he was monitoring for activity. After the subject passed CO Silorey, he noticed that the watercraft did not have MC numbers displayed. CO Silorey pulled up to the subject with his lights activated and asked the subject why he did not have MC numbers or registration displayed. The subject stated that he had just helped put a new motor in the vessel and was just “testing it out.” The subject stated that he did not need registration and wasn’t able to register it anyway because it did not have a motor in it at the time. CO Silorey explained to the subject, who was becoming increasingly argumentative, that if he was operating the vessel, it was required to be registered. After several more minutes of the subject complaining about the instability of the PWC and how dangerous it was to operate, CO Silorey directed the subject to COs Schaumburger and Griffor who were on a nearby patrol vessel. After a citation was issued to the subject for operating an unregistered watercraft, he became irate. The subject began to use explicit language to the COs and was very unhappy about receiving the citation. The subject was sent on his way and was heard yelling obscenities all the way back to the other side of the river.
While working a Saturday shift on Belle Isle, COs Sydney Griffor and Ed Rice received a call of vehicles that were broken into at the lighthouse parking lot. The COs arrived at the location and found two vehicles had their passenger side windows broken out and items were stolen from the vehicle. A possible suspect plate was given. The COs are continuing to investigate.
CO Griffin Korican patrolled Belle Isle for speed enforcement. Several stops were made, and a citation was issued for an individual who was observed travelling at 51 mph in a 25-mph zone. The Belle Isle Art Fair was also being held the same day and CO Korican assisted the Detroit Police Department with traffic backup caused by the fair traffic.
COs Ariel Young, Dave Schaumburger, Martin Lawrence, and Sydney Griffor conducted a speed enforcement patrol at Belle Isle. COs utilized RADAR equipment to locate speeders coming onto the island. Twenty-four speeding tickets were issued over a couple of hours with motorists travelling more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. Several warnings were issued for other infractions such as no recreational passport, no proof of insurance, and no registration on person.
Great Lakes Enforcement Unit (GLEU)
Corporals (Cpls.) Cole VanOosten and Todd Sumbera followed up on a net entanglement near Spectacle Reef. The officers were able to locate, grapple and lift the abandoned gill net. The net was approximately 2,400’ in length and heavily degraded. Fishing gear was recovered and returned to the complainant. Following the net lift, the officers conducted an on-water Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary patrol in search of dive activity.
Cpl. Todd Sumbera conducted a dockside patrol with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Jared Kreeger. Contacts were made, and no diving violations or activity were encountered.
Cpls. Nick Atkin and Todd Sumbera conducted a dockside patrol within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary along with NOAA and United States Coast Guard (USCG) law enforcement. The weather turned unfavorable and seemed to keep dive activity to a minimum.
Cpl. Cole VanOosten provided transport to four Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) employees in the Les Cheneaux Islands. The purpose of the transport was to look at crib docks in the area - a permitting problem that has developed in the area recently.
While on a patrol near Drummond Island, Cpl. VanOosten observed a sport angler operating an expired vessel. Contact was made and it was determined that the vessel hadn’t been registered since 2017 and had never been transferred. A citation was issued for failure to display watercraft registration. Verbal warnings were given for no type 4 PFD, no paper registration, and failure to transfer ownership of a watercraft within 15 days.
Cpl. Pat Hartsig patrolled the Port Sanilac and Harbor Beach area to check for commercial activity on lower Lake Huron nets.
Cpl. Nick Atkin conducted NOAA patrols focusing on diving and commercial fishing activity. Numerous nets were checked with no dive activity noted.
Cpl. Nick Atkin conducted a net patrol checking commercial fisherman activity from Standish to Oscoda. Nets in this area are being tied off and pulled out to get cleaned before being reset this fall.
Cpl. Mike Hammill has been monitoring commercial activity, as well as local nearshore and salmon fishing activity. Cpl. Hammill has issued warnings and citations for such violations as fishing without a license, and fishing with too many lines.
Cpl. Mike Hammill checked the state line for incursions onto either side by commercial fishermen. No trap nets were found in violation. While checking for trap nets, Cpl. Hammill checked the trawler while fishing. Cpl. Hammill called the captain and was able to maneuver his vessel safely over the top of the net being dragged and visually inspected it on his sonar units. Fishing with the trawler has been steady with a lot of fish being caught.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge took Fisheries Division biologists on a patrol in Au Train Bay. Several commercial nets were inspected along with multiple water contacts with tribal commercial fishermen.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge patrolled to Munising Bay, conducting several state and tribal commercial net inspections.
Cpl. Tom Peterson assisted research biologist John Lenters by ferrying him to Stannard Rock, allowing him to conduct maintenance on weather station equipment. While waiting, a marine patrol was conducted. No violations were observed.
