Prepare for Back to School Safety Now

/in /by

 As families are preparing for the upcoming school year, now is the perfect time to discuss back to school safety.

Parents are encouraged to share the following safety tips with their children:

Safety at the bus stop:

  • Identify a safe place to wait for the bus that is away from traffic and the street.
  • Mind all traffic signals and/or the crossing guard when crossing the street.
  • Know the travel routes to and from the bus stop and school.
  • Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver. Never walk behind the bus.
  • Do not talk to strangers. Tell your parents if a stranger tries to talk to you.
  • Never leave or get into a stranger’s vehicle.

Safety at school:

  • Review and discuss the school’s emergency procedures with your children.
  • Work together to make a plan for bullying – whether it happens to your child or if he or she sees it happening to someone else.
  • Familiarize your student with Michigan’s Ok2Say program. Ok2Say allows students to confidentially report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at Michigan students, school employees or schools.

MSP Community eNewsletter: August

Child Passenger Safety: Choosing and Using the Right Car Seat Correctly

/in /by

Did you know more than 70 percent of car seats are not installed correctly? Car seats and booster seats can save the lives of children in the event of a crash, which it why it is vital to find the right car seat for your child, install it correctly and properly use it every time.

Click here to watch Sgt. Kim Vetter with the Michigan State Police and Ms. Alyson Kechkaylo of Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning discuss best practices of child passenger safety, demonstrate how to properly use car seats and boosters and answer frequently asked questions.

MSP Community eNewsletter: August

Schuette Issues New Consumer Alert Warning Michigan Businesses of Potential Sales Tax License Application Scam

/in /by

Company is charging for services that the State of Michigan offers for free

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today released a new consumer alert to warn Michigan business owners of a potential sales tax application scam.

An online company called Sales Tax Application Organization claims that business owners can apply for a license to collect state sales tax through a portal on its website. The company charges a fee and asks for personal information. However, in Michigan this can be done through the state, for free, in as little as seven days.

While Michigan has not yet seen this scam, Schuette and his Consumer Protection Team have released a new alert to prevent Michigan business owners from falling victim to this scam. A source from outside Michigan reports that no service is actually provided, and the money paid disappeared.

“Consumer Protection is one of the fundamental roles of the Michigan Attorney General,” said Schuette. “The team works diligently to warn residents of scams before they happen, and this alert is a perfect example. Michigan business owners should beware and are encouraged to file a complaint if they encounter this scam.”

Schuette advises business owners to be cautious if they receive an unprompted link from an online service that states it will register your business to collect sales tax with the state for a fee.  Companies like this are often hard to verify. If an online business provides no contact information such as a phone number, email address, or any employee names, this should serve as a red flag.

Schuette advises that residents check with the State Department of Treasury to find the correct way to register to collect sales tax in Michigan.

CONSUMER ALERTS

The attorney general provides consumer alerts to inform the public of unfair, misleading, or deceptive business practices and to provide information and guidance on issues of concern.

Residents can visit the attorney general’s website to subscribe and receive the latest consumer alerts.

To report a scam, file a complaint, or get additional information, contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General:

CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION

P.O. Box 30213 Lansing, MI 48909

517-373-1140

Fax: 517-241-3771

Toll free: 877-765-8388

Online complaint form

Should Michigan State Park Police Carry Guns

/in /by

After several recent incidents at Michigan state parks, it has come to light that the park officers could better protect themselves, the park employees, and other visitors if they were armed with guns. As of now, the Michigan state park police only carry a baton, handcuffs, and pepper spray.

The 320 state park police officers rely mainly on their seven weeks of training to diffuse situations and protect themselves and patrons of the MI parks. The 103 parks that they serve receive more than 27 Million annual visitors. And while most visits include fun on the beach, kayaking, biking, hiking, and sunsets, the number of incidents occurring at these park is on the rise.

Incidents related to drugs, gangs, alcohol, riots, and assaults are a big concern for the state parks. Though some view these as isolated incidents, they have put people in the parks at risk and there is not adequate protection to handle such dangerous situations.

In 2017, there were 30 youths involved in illegal activity in Pontiac Lake Recreational Area and there was gang-related activity at the Grand Haven State Park.

Recent events, such as the 300-person riot that took place at the Grand Haven State Park, the assault of an officer at the Pinckney State Recreational Area, and the assault of a Belle Isle park officer, have created a stronger push for guns and tasers, along with protective gear, for the MI state park police.

Conservation officers have increased across the state parks in recent years. The officers go through more extensive training over a 22-week period and they are armed. Though helpful, these officers are not always present within the parks. Perhaps additional training is needed for the MI state park police, along with the right to carry guns.

Because it has been deemed a public safety issue, on June 29, The Michigan State Employees Association filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is currently under evaluation. The issue has also been brought to the attention of Governor Snyder.