Oakland County Sheriff announces saturation patrols in Pontiac

In response to a troubling increase in vehicle crashes involving pedestrians, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office is ramping up targeted saturation patrols in several high-risk areas throughout Pontiac.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard announced that deputies will be focusing on specific areas identified through data analysis, with the goal of reducing pedestrian injuries and fatalities. The initiative is also intended to encourage safer behavior from both drivers and pedestrians, including greater use of designated crosswalks.

So far in 2025, there have been seven hit-and-run incidents in Pontiac resulting in serious injuries or deaths. Two of these fatal crashes occurred just blocks apart on Baldwin Avenue—one on July 3 and another on August 5.

The sheriff's office is increasing patrols at the following intersections:

• Huron Street and Saginaw Street
• Walton Boulevard and Perry Street
• Baldwin Avenue and Montcalm Street
• Auburn Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard

As part of the effort, pedestrians found crossing unsafely may receive written warnings, while drivers can expect stepped-up enforcement for speeding and reckless driving.

Between January 1, 2023, and September 2, 2025, there have been 70 pedestrian-related crashes in Pontiac. Of those, seven were fatal—including five so far this year—and 19 caused serious injuries.