Alpena County Sheriff’s Office Breaks Down 2023 Achievements

There were some big changes for the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office in 2023.

One of the most important is getting back to a full staff. “Just getting the people to come and provide relief for our other employees but being full staff we can provide other services to the community which has been very important to us,” said Sheriff Erik Smith.

One of the services is returning to 24–hour road patrol, which the sheriff’s office hasn’t had for several years. Prior to this year, patrols would stop by midnight or 1 a.m. “Crime never stops, even when people are sleeping and nestled in bed,” Smith said. “Crime is afoot. So at night our road patrol is out there providing safety for the community.

More staff means more support in the jail as well. “You don’t burn staff out as bad,” said Smith. “People are tired of coming in, working overtime, and relieving each other. So being full staff helps with that burnout.”

2023 also brought the department new equipment in the shape of body cameras and a fleet of new vehicles. “Our fleet was old and decrepit. I think they were about 2013’s with well over 100,000 miles,” Smith said.

This year there was also changes to the sheriff’s office building itself, a renovated front entrance. It includes a bell of symbolic significance. “Hopefully we’re going to start a tradition where people who are leaving incarceration here at the jail. If they make an oath to change, they get to ring that bell upon leaving.”

With more staff and new equipment, the sheriff’s office plans to keep improving in 2024.