3/20/13 - Hartland Township officials say a new deal with the sheriffâs department for dedicated patrols may be worked out, but not before the current one expires. For more than thirty years the two townships had contracted with the Livingston County Sheriff to keep a patrol car inside their borders, first for 16 hours a day and then around-the-clock. The arrangement kept response times down while providing the townships with a cheaper alternative to forming their own police department. Despite a subsidy of about 38% from the county, the townships have repeatedly rejected offers to renew the deal this year. The township boards say the benefits of a dedicated patrol are not worth the extra cost, and that other townships that are not paying for contracts are benefitting from their arrangement with the county. Sheriff Bob Bezotte is attempting to organize one last meeting to hammer out a deal this week, but Township Manager James Wickman tells WHMI a new agreement almost certainly will not be reached before the current contract expires on March 31st. He says new conversations will need to be held with the county to find a way to improve the service provided by the contract. He confirmed that the township is making inquiries with other police forces, including those in Brighton, Green Oak, and Fenton, to see if they would be able to provide a similar service. (TD)
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