COUNTY UPDATES

MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC: SHERRIFS OFFICE

We have been getting a few reports of citizens who have been contacted via telephone by someone claiming to be Lt. Brian Giddis of the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Department. This person is attempting to scam people by telling them they have missed a court date and have a warrant for their arrest, or will have a warrant issued if they do not pay money to the caller. They are giving instructions to pay money to avoid being arrested.

I am the real Lt Brian Giddis, here to tell you, PLEASE DO NOT ENGAGE WITH THESE PEOPLE The Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office does not call and demand money from anyone with regard to arrest warrants. If a warrant has been issued for your arrest, we will only call you if it has been pre-arranged during an investigation that we would notify you if/when a warrant is issued so you can turn yourself in at the jail--- not to have you pay money to

Avoid Going To Jail

Even if you do have a warrant for your arrest--- you will not get out of it by giving your money to a scammer who calls you on the phone The only remedy if you have a warrant out for you is to turn yourself in at the jail and be officially processed. Then the warrant will be removed from the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), and bond will be set (in person at the jail), then you can post bond (in person) and be physically released from the jail We handle arrest warrants "in person " . We even give you a ride.

It is understandable to be alarmed to hear someone tell you that you have an arrest warrant or have somehow violated the law, but know that we do not handle those matters over the phone or internet. Depriving a person of their freedom is a matter the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office takes very seriously If you receive a call from someone who tells you to send them money, DON'T DO IT

If you have received a call from someone claiming to be from the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office, you don't need to c t t d t it l did t i th If did th ll d fil a

GT 9-1-1

If the caller is deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disability

Language barriers

Medical emergency when the caller can not speak

If caller is unable to freely speak on the phone

When texting 9-1-1 is helpful C A L L , I F Y O U C A N

TEXT, IF YOU CAN'T

How It Works

Enter 9-1-1 into the "To" field

Make sure to include your location and type of emergency

Send the message

Answer questions and follow instructions

Clear concise messages. No pictures, emojis, or abbreviations