Adrian Police Department

Donations can be made inside the Adrian Police Department lobby Monday through Friday during business hours.

Donations are also accepted at 1245 W Maple Ave, Adrian, MI 49221 during the following hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:00 am—3:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

An Adrian resident was recently *ALMOST* scammed out of $17,000 until he saw one of these flyers posted above a local crypto-ATM. Kudos to him for stopping the scam before it was too late! Thank you again to all the local businesses that allowed us to hang these.

Please be mindful of scam phone calls, texts, and emails that demand money or anything else listed in the below flyers. Recovering scammed money is often impossible so prevention is key!

The City of Adrian has experienced a significant increase in the operation of electric bicycles (e-bikes), electric scooters, electric skateboards, and similar battery-powered vehicles on public streets, sidewalks, parks, and trails. Many operators, particularly juveniles, are failing to obey traffic control devices, yielding requirements, and pedestrian right-of-way laws.

This bulletin provides officers with the Michigan Vehicle Code provisions applicable to enforcement actions involving these devices.
I. Legal Definition of an Electric Bicycle
MCL 257.13e defines an electric bicycle as a device equipped with a seat or saddle, fully operable pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor of not greater than 750 watts.

Vehicles exceeding these specifications generally do not qualify as electric bicycles and may instead meet the definition of a moped, motor-driven cycle, or motorcycle requiring registration, licensing, and other motor vehicle requirements.

Enforcement Consideration: Officers encountering Sur-Ron, Talaria, E-Ride Pro, and similar e-moto style vehicles should determine motor wattage, presence of operable pedals, vehicle speed capability, and manufacturer classification label.
II. E-Bikes Are Subject to Bicycle Traffic Laws
MCL 257.657 provides that persons operating bicycles and electric bicycles upon a roadway are subject to the same rights and duties applicable to drivers of vehicles unless a provision clearly does not apply.

Operators may be cited for disobeying stop signs, traffic signals, failure to yield, wrong-way travel, improper lane usage, and other applicable bicycle violations.
III. Stop Signs – MCL 257.649
An operator of an electric bicycle or other bicycle must stop at a stop sign and yield as required by law.

Common violations include rolling through stop signs, entering intersections without yielding, and following motor vehicles through intersections without stopping.
IV. Traffic Signals – MCL 257.612
Electric bicycle and scooter operators must obey traffic control signals.

Common violations include riding through red lights, proceeding against pedestrian signals, and ignoring traffic control devices.
V. Riding on Sidewalks – MCL 257.660c
Michigan law permits bicycle and electric bicycle operation on sidewalks unless prohibited by local ordinance or traffic control device.

Operators must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, give an audible signal before overtaking pedestrians, and operate in a manner that does not endanger pedestrian traffic.
VI. Reckless or Careless Operation
MCL 257.626b – Careless Driving (Civil Infraction)

MCL 257.626 – Reckless Driving (93-Day Misdemeanor)

Where circumstances justify, officers should consider these violations for operators who ignore traffic controls, endanger pedestrians, weave through traffic, or otherwise create unreasonable hazards.
VII. Passengers – MCL 257.658(3)
Electric skateboards and similar devices may not carry more than one person.

Common violations include two juveniles riding a single scooter or multiple riders on devices designed for a single operator.
VIII. Age and Helmet Requirements – MCL 257.662a
Class 3 electric bicycles may not be operated by persons under 14 years of age.

Operators and passengers under 18 years of age on Class 3 electric bicycles must wear an approved helmet.
IX. Required E-Bike Labeling – MCL 257.662a
Manufacturers must affix a permanent label indicating classification, top assisted speed, and motor wattage.

Missing labels may indicate that the vehicle does not qualify as a lawful electric bicycle.
X. When the E-Bike Is Actually a Motor Vehicle
Many devices currently being operated by juveniles are marketed as electric bicycles but do not meet the requirements of MCL 257.13e.

Indicators include no pedals, motor exceeding 750 watts, speeds exceeding Class 3 limits, off-road motorcycle design, or modified controllers.

Potential enforcement statutes may include operating without a license, no registration, no insurance, and equipment violations.

With summer in full swing, it might be a good time to remind everyone that Adrian has a curfew ordinance, which we do enforce. It is reproduced below for you, and available in the City of Adrian Code of Ordinances located at adriancity.com

Sec. 58-148. Curfew of underage persons.

(a) It is unlawful for any person under the age of 13 years to be in any public place between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. It is unlawful for any person who is 13 years of age or older and less than 16 years of age to be in any public place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. It is unlawful for any person who is 16 years of age or older, and less than 18 years of age to be in any public place between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.

(b) It is a defense to prosecution under subsection (a) of this section that the person was:

(1) Accompanied by the person's parent or guardian or an adult designated by the person's parent or guardian;

(2) On an errand at the direction of the person's parent or guardian or an adult designated by the person's parent or guardian, without any detour or stop;

(3) In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;

(4) Engaged in an employment activity, or going to or returning from an employment activity, without any detour or stop;

(5) Involved in an emergency. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "emergency" means an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. Such term includes, but is not limited to, a fire, natural disaster or automobile accident, or any situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life;

(6) Attending an official school, religious or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the city, a civic organization or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the person, or going to or returning home from, without any detour or stop, an official school, religious or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the city, a civic organization or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the person;

(7) Exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech and the right of assembly; or

(8) Married or had been married or had disabilities of minority removed in accordance with law.

(c) No person shall assist, aid, abet, allow, permit or encourage any person to violate subsection (a) of this section.

(Code 1972, §§ 9.400—9.403)

State law reference(s)—Curfew, MCL 722.751 et seq.

Thank you Girl Scouts Troop 0382 for hanging out with our Officers and sharing some delicious cookies! We hope you had fun playing with the police lights and sirens!

🥛 🍪 🚔

260004438 – Arson Investigation

On 04/14/2026, the Adrian Police Department was dispatched to Crossroads Community Church after it was discovered an unknown male had attempted to set fire to the church’s handicap ramp during the early morning hours. A review of surveillance footage depicted a lighter skinned, slightly heavy-set male wearing a black hoodie, gray vest, white shirt, white shorts, and black shoes. This individual is observed pouring lighter fluid on the church ramp before leaving the scene on foot westbound through downtown. Below are two still images depicting the individual, and a compilation surveillance video is viewable here.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or the individual’s identity, or any witnesses that have not yet made a statement to police, should contact Detective LaMar Rufner at 517-264-4853, or submit their information via email to [email protected] or [email protected].

260003904 – Adrian College Active Shooter Threat

On 04/01/2026 at approximately 7:20pm, Officers were dispatched to Adrian College after reports of a masked individual who was threatening to “shoot up the school”. Responding Officers quickly set up a perimeter and were able to review surveillance footage depicting the involved individual – a male subject already known to law enforcement. This individual was located, searched, and no weapons were found.

A preliminary investigation indicates this was an isolated incident that occurred following an argument between this individual and a passerby near the Adrian College roundabout. There is no threat to the public, college, or surrounding businesses. This incident’s police report is being submitted to the Lenawee County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review and possible criminal charges.

The Adrian Police Department would like to thank the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office, Adrian Charter Township Police, Michigan State Police, and Adrian Fire Department for their assistance.