🚨 Community Scam Alert - Fake Arrest Warrant Calls 🚨
Local law enforcement is warning residents about a scam that continues to target people in the Treasure Valley.
Scammers are impersonating members of the County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and City Police Officers and telling victims they have an outstanding arrest warrant, often claiming it is related to missing jury duty. The scammers may threaten immediate arrest unless the victim pays a supposed “bond” or “fine.”
⚠️ THIS IS A SCAM.
The County Sheriff’s Offices will never call and threaten to arrest you because you missed jury duty, have an outstanding warrant, owe a civil judgment, or have a tax bill due. Deputies/Officers will not demand payment over the phone to prevent an arrest.
Scammers may instruct victims to:
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Purchase gift cards or prepaid debit cards and provide the card information.
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Send money through Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or other payment services.
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Purchase or transfer cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin.
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Stay on the phone while traveling to a bank, store, or cryptocurrency ATM.
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Provide personal or financial information.
Scammers may also spoof local 208 phone numbers and use the names of actual law-enforcement employees to make their story sound legitimate.
🛑 STOP — DON'T PAY!
If someone calls claiming to be law enforcement and demands immediate payment to avoid arrest:
DO NOT send money.
DO NOT purchase gift cards or cryptocurrency.
DO NOT provide personal or financial information.
DO NOT remain on the phone while carrying out their instructions.
Instead, hang up and independently contact the law-enforcement agency using a verified phone number. Do not use a number provided by the caller.
A recent incident illustrates how easily these scams can appear legitimate. A victim was told he had an arrest warrant and was instructed to withdraw $5,000 to pay a supposed bond at the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. After the situation was independently verified with the Sheriff’s Office, it was confirmed that no warrant existed and the call was part of an impersonation scam. The victim ultimately did not provide the money.
If you receive a suspicious call, report it to your local law-enforcement agency. For suspected County Sheriff’s Office or City Police Officer impersonation scams, it is advised to contact them directly by looking up an independent and verified contact number. DO NOT USE THE number given by the impersonator!
Remember: A legitimate law-enforcement officer will not demand immediate payment over the phone to make an arrest warrant disappear.
Please share this information with family members, friends, and especially anyone who may be more vulnerable to these types of scams. One conversation could prevent someone from losing thousands of dollars.
New City Ordinance for Traffic Circles
A new traffic ordinance has been instated this year for traffic circles within the City of Emmett, as stated by Mayor Petrie: "Since January 2025, the city has operated under a new traffic ordinance that, if followed, does away with all confusion about how to negotiate traffic circles, also known as mini-roundabouts, in Emmett."
To view the Ordinance regarding this change, please Click Here or on the PDF image below!
Additional City Ordinance
An additional City Ordinance regarding the Reckless or Inattentive operation of Bicycles, E-Bikes or E-Scooters has also been enacted. To view the Ordinance, click here or on the PDF below.
Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events
Emmett Police Department is now offering a free CRASE training course. For more information, click here or on the CRASE button to the left, or above if on mobile.
Residents of Gem County have long known that they may call 911 for police, fire or medical assistance. What you may not be aware of is that the Gem County Sheriff’s Office participates within a mass alert notification system for community awareness. They have the ability to send voice and text messages that alert the community to a variety of emergency and non-emergency circumstances. Such messages may be community wide or very specific geographically. They can also post to social media accounts for Gem County with the latest information for the community to view.
The alert notification system is provided by AlertSense. Stay informed by choosing which alerts you would like to receive, ranging from local crime alerts or severe weather alerts. AlertSense has a simple process in place that enhances our opportunity to contact you via your cell phone, text, email or other means.
On behalf of the men and women of the Emmett Police Department, thank you for visiting our web page and learning more about your police department. We are honored to serve and to be a part of the community. The Emmett Police Department is a professional police agency that employs 13 sworn police officers, and 2 civilian clerks. Our department provides 24 hours police coverage to help protect and serve our community. To learn more, click on About Us.
The City of Emmett Police Department will safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve. We enforce the law and partner with the community to reduce crime. We will act with integrity and honor at all times with those we serve while maintaining public confidence.
Police Department
501 E. Main St.
Emmett, ID 83617
Phone: (208) 365-6055
Fax: (208) 365-6062
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
24 Hour Dispatch: (208) 365-3521
Emergency: 911