Two days before Valentine’s Day, the Portage County Sheriff’s Office decided to mix romance with reality. On its official Facebook page, the agency announced that deputies were available to deliver Valentine’s greetings and, with a wink, invited residents to share the locations of exes who might also be dodging arrest warrants.
In a post published Feb. 12, the department said it would "send a deputy" to "wish the person a very happy valentine's day" and invited tipsters to email the whereabouts of anyone with an outstanding warrant to [email protected], according to the Portage County Sheriff's Office. The post also gave a nod to the office's K-9 unit and identified Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski as the head of the department.
How the Office Handles Tips and Warrants
Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski leads the Portage County Sheriff's Office, which lists non-emergency contact numbers and a Civil Division responsible for warrants on its official website. The county pages ask residents to share information only through official channels and emphasize that people should not try to confront or detain anyone themselves, the Portage County Sheriff's Office notes.
Social Posts as a Push for More Tips
The Valentine’s quip is part of a broader social media approach. The department has been running a "Most Wanted Monday" series that aims to generate tips while hammering home safety reminders. Last year, a Most Wanted Monday push highlighted how the Sheriff’s Office directs people to official tip lines for information about warrants.
Why Some Residents Push Back
Lighthearted posts can boost engagement, but not everyone loves seeing humor paired with handcuffs. Researchers and observers warn that mixing jokes with enforcement messaging can backfire, eroding trust or encouraging risky attempts at citizen involvement. New Hampshire Public Radio has documented departments that drew backlash when social media stunts went too far for some audiences.
For anyone who does have information about a person with an outstanding warrant, the Sheriff’s Office urges residents to stick to its formal channels. The county’s Civil Division lists a warrants phone line and other contacts for tips and the service of court papers, the Portage County Civil Division says.
Behind the holiday humor is a straightforward message from a small local agency that increasingly uses social platforms in real time: share what you know through official routes, then step aside and let the deputies handle the rest.
