County officials unanimously approved the use of cash reserves to build a 39,000-square-foot building for law enforcement and administrative functions. By the fall of next year, residents will be able to obtain public records and meet with officers at the Elkhart County Corrections Complex on C.R. 26 in Elkhart.

The $7 million building project will advance the goal of better efficiency through consolidation of sheriff's department services.

Ordinances of note
• Animal control (.pdf)
• Curfew (.pdf)
• Fireworks (.pdf)
• Mailbox damage (.pdf)
• Noise (.pdf)
• Off-road vehicles (.pdf)

Crime prevention
• Identity theft (.pdf)
• Neighborhood watch
• Self defense

Indiana law
• Criminal code
• Traffic code

Local law enforcement
• Elkhart County prosecutor
• Bristol Police Department
• Elkhart Police Department
• Goshen Police Department
• Nappanee Police Department
• Indiana State Police
• Dept. of Natural Resources
• CrimeStoppers
• In memoriam

Sex offender registries
• Indiana
• National

Statistics
• 2007 annual report (.pdf)
• 2006 annual report (.pdf)
• 2005 annual report (.pdf)

Traffic safety
• Child restraints
• DUI enforcement
• Seat belts

Wanted lists
• Local criminal
• Local child support
• Federal Bureau of Investigation

Violations of the ordinance, approved in December 2007, may lead to fines of up to $500. The commissioners have included a provision allowing for permits. In terms of enforcement, the sheriff's department will treat fireworks as a separate issue, not in conflict with the county's noise ordinance.

In general, consumer fireworks consist of aerial devices (including sky rockets, spinners and shells), ground audible devices (such as firecrackers and chasers), or combinations of the two. These types of items may be used only during specific times:

• Between 10 a.m. and midnight July 4;
• From 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset between June 29 and July 9 (excluding the provisions made for the Fourth of July); and
• Between 10 a.m. Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. Jan. 1.

Items such as sparklers, smoke devices and noise makers are not included in the list of consumer fireworks.

Residents wanting to report ordinance violations may call the Public Safety Communications Center at 533-4151. Emergencies involving the use of fireworks should be reported immediately by dialing 911.