We, the undersigned all cherish Beaver Island, Michigan.  We have legitimate and very real concerns about the recent, highly disproportionate number of traffic stops made by Charlevoix County Sheriff deputies, as compared to the actual population of approximately 600 on Beaver Island, not all of whom are even old enough to drive.  We believe that overall public confidence in Charlevoix County law enforcement professionals is a critical component of public safety.  We respect law enforcement and authority.  There isn’t even one traffic light on Beaver Island.  Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics suggest that the island is one of the safest places in the world to live and work.  Yet, the number of deputies assigned here was doubled or tripled almost overnight.  In a period of 2 days, dozens and dozens of drivers (who were not intoxicated at all) were stopped, detained, questioned and some were actually ordered out of their cars for questioning.  The continued very aggressive policing by the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office, consisting of needless traffic stops here for trivial or nonexistent reasons will erode public confidence and benefit no one in the long run.  Police resources are precious, limited and should not be wasted in this manner.  Many examples of conduct unbecoming of an officer of the law can be presented to Sheriff Charles Vondra, who will be invited to the island to discuss what happened and whether these officers were given a directive to behave as they have.