Public Safety

You may obtain a copy of an accident report which occurred in the City of Ionia online at Lexis Nexis Buy Crash Report.

The Ionia Department of Public Safety does not do criminal background checks, but they may be obtained through the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).

Upon request, the department gives tours of its facility to organizations such as Head Start, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other local groups including daycare centers. The tours often include a close look at the police vehicles and fire trucks as well as information regarding personal safety and fire safety.  Please contact Ionia DPS at least one week in advance to schedule your tour.

Requests for finger prints must be made in advance. An appointment for inked finger prints may be made by contacting Ionia DPS.  Cost for finger prints are $10 per card and payment can be made by cash, check or money order.  Credit or Debit card payments can not be accepted.  Ionia DPS does not do Live Scan prints.

Each officer carries fire gear in their patrol unit and in the event there is a fire, the officer will then respond in the role of a firefighter.  Ionia DPS provides fire coverage to the City of Ionia, Easton Township and Ionia Township.

On-Call Firefighters

In addition to our full-time Public Safety Officers, our agency also employs several paid on-call firefighters. These individuals serve as a very important part of our organization.

All of our officers and several firefighters are trained as emergency medial responders.  Ionia DPS provides emergency medical services to The City of Ionia, Easton Township and Ionia Township.

Downtown District

Available parking in the Downtown District includes both street-side parking and several parking lots. Most street-side parking downtown is designated as two-hour parking. However, there are a couple of exceptions. Downtown parking lots are designated as either 2-hour parking or 10-hour parking.

Each parking lot and each street-side parking area in the Downtown District contain street signs that list the parking hours in their respective area. Parking may be enforced in the Downtown District between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.

Residential District

Most areas in the Residential District allow for parking on at least one side of the street. Those areas where parking is prohibited are posted with street signs indicating so.

Odd / Even Parking

Odd / Even Parking is in effect from December 1 through March 31 between 7am and noon. The purpose of the ordinance is to allow for proper snow removal on both sides of the street in winter months. This ordinance states that city residents and visitors shall park on the odd-numbered side of the street on the odd-numbered days of the month and on the even-numbered side of the street on the even-numbered days of the month.

Sex Offender registration can be completed in person Monday through Friday from 8 am - 12 pm and 1 pm - 4 pm at the Ionia Public Safety Building located at 239 E. Adams Street. 

Visit the Michigan Sex Offender Registry online for more information. State law requires offenders to maintain registration with the Michigan State Police. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry Mail-In Update Form (PDF) is used to comply with this requirement.

K9 Officer Jennifer Skorka serves as the department's School Liaison Officer. Officer Skorka is partnered with K9 Titan and spends her day at the Ionia High School where she walks the hallways, patrols the parking lots, and handles any criminal activity involving students on campus. Officer Skorka provides presentations to students involving topics such as personal safety, bullying, and other legal issues. Officer Skorka also spends time at the middle and elementary schools within the city assisting in conflict resolution, eating lunch, and joining the students on the playground.

Complete the Vacation Security Check Form and Public Safety will strive to check your property while you are on vacation or while the premises are vacant. By completing this form, you authorize officers to enter onto your property or into your residence if it is found to be unsecured. Please submit your request at least one week in advance.

The City of Ionia has four early warning sirens. The sirens have been strategically placed in an attempt to assure that everyone in the community will be able to hear them. The sirens are tested at Noon, on the first Saturday of each month throughout the year.

Responding

Should you hear the sirens during any other time, this may signal adverse weather and you should seek shelter immediately. After you have done so, please monitor either your radio or television for updates. We do not sound an all-clear signal after a weather event.