The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has multiple specialty teams. Our Marine/Dive Team is on call to assist throughout Wayne County and agencies in neighboring counties if they find themselves in need. Our people constantly train, and this winter is no different. Ice Diving requires special certification that new team members needed. So, after taking a chainsaw to the ice on the Detroit River, in they went. One of our deputies geared himself up with a Go-Pro camera and the result is this short film. Enjoy.
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It was an absolute mess. A 54-inch water main ruptured in Southwest Detroit on February 17th. Icy water engulfed a neighborhood near Beard and Rowan streets. The enormity of the problem became clear as the water levels started rise, engulfing cars and flooding basements. At times, the streets were awash in waist high water. Sheriff Washington activated the Wayne County Marine Unit. Divers, the command post, and boats were sent to help evacuate 200 people. Our people were out there for hours to assist. The Marine Unit is one of the specialty teams here at WCSO that is on call to assist across the county or neighboring agencies in Oakland and Macomb if there is an emergency. WXYZ-TV interviewed Sgt Michael Roehrig about the evacuations. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.wxyz.com/news/region/detroit/first-responders-rescue-more-than-200-from-southwest-detroit-water-main-break-flooding__;!!KpYDppBGsltJ9Kw!2RS7RKCKfbQvlb5vyS14rNmpI1RE0lFX-59JqbRHCeJvVmd6FHouzP9vIgNr9ygHvSaxNvVj6KgoDhnKF9Bmx2AP7KVt$
The rise of AI means we’re all on the cusp of a new digital world. Already, AI is all over social media platforms and it is becoming harder and harder to recognize real from AI generated photos and content. Some things parents need to be aware of:
- The lack of parental filters and settings in AI can make social media safety harder to navigate. Continue to work with your teen to stay safe.
- Drive home that not everything you see on social media is reality or accurate.
- Privacy is just as important with AI. Review how to clear browser history, cookies and block any suspicious users.
https://www.wxyz.com/news/news-literacy-project/news-literacy-project-how-to-identify-misinformation-amid-the-rise-of-ai-content
Credit card scammers have been making the rounds across Metro Detroit. Our digital forensics guru Sgt. Britton Foreman filled WXYZ-TV in on steps you can take to protect yourself.
1. Always use tap to pay
2. Using something like Apple Pay provides another layer of data encryption
3. Help your older family members stop the habit of swiping or inserting their credit cards
Often times these skimmers are hard to detect, especially if you’re in a rush. It’s why these scammers tend to put skimmers in high traffic areas like gas stations.
It is the law in Michigan when you see emergency vehicles on the side of the road to slow down and move over if possible. This year the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the National Sheriffs’ Association to launch a yearlong social media campaign in Wayne County to remind drivers to move over. You will see the #MoveOverDriveSafe hashtag throughout the year on a variety of platforms. Our media partners at WDIV-TV profiled the start of the effort which now includes 11 other law enforcement agencies including MSP. WDIV-TV did a great job getting the message out and why this issue is personal for Sheriff Washington.
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2024/12/24/campaign-aims-to-get-michigan-drivers-to-move-over-for-emergency-vehicles/
When Freddie Payne got a call that read “No ID” on his cellphone he hesitated to answer it but ultimately picked up. On the other end was a guy claiming to be a Wayne County deputy who told him he needed to pay $3500 immediately or be thrown in jail. Payne told us the man was a fast talker and claimed there was a bench warrant for his arrest because he failed to show up for jury duty. Payne knew it couldn’t possibly be true. He hung up after about 20 minutes of listening to their spiel and called Sheriff Washington. This is just another version of the scam that’s been going around for years, but these guys can be very persuasive. Thank you to WDIV-TV for bringing attention to it. You can see [...]
It’s one of our most favorite events of the year. WCSO teams up with Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities or LAHC and Kroger to pass out $5000 in gift cards. Today unsuspecting drivers were pulled over by deputies and Sheriff Washington along with Undersheriff Mike Jaafar. People were flabbergasted that instead of getting tickets they received $250 gift cards. Another successful Santa on Patrol.
For nearly two decades the Rugiero family, owners of both Antonio’s and Roman Village, have opened their doors for a very special event. Lunch with Santa, and a toy drive done in the name of the late Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon. While the Rugieros serve up the landmark Italian cuisine they’re known for, deputies roll out the mobile command center and love deputizing young attendees who are eager to do their best to protect Santa at all costs. The $28 ticket price includes a fabulous buffet, a visit with Santa, live reindeer and a host of other activities. Both restaurants have been collecting toys since the end of November, all to be donated to children in need.
For 35 years Sheriff Washington has been donating to Delores Bennett’s Adopt-a-Child. Now, the entire WCSO is on board. Our people buy gifts for the children and donate their time on the day of the event. Delores Benett was a tireless advocate for Detroit’s children who founded the North End Youth Improvement Council fifty years ago. Mrs. Bennett died in 2017, but her daughter Mary has kept up her mother’s work. Over the last 50 years they estimate they’ve helped 30,000 children. The WCSO is proud to support one of Detroit’s most cherished traditions.
With his extensive career in law enforcement Sheriff Washington has seen first-hand the damage youth homelessness has caused. It’s why he gives his time as a board member for Covenant House, which houses and helps educate young people with nowhere to go. Each year the sheriff spends the night out in the cold to help raise money for the non-profit. This year he challenged Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel to join him, along with Genesse County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Both men graciously accepted the challenge. Members of the WCSO executive staff also packed their sleeping bags to support the cause.
