8/14/14 - After a full year without dedicated patrols from the sheriffâs department, the Hartland Township Board is examining the impact of that decision. Together with Tyrone Township, Hartland had a standing contract with the sheriffâs department for decades, providing the municipalities with a dedicated deputy on patrol. That contract was allowed to expire, and while Tyrone has since formed a new contract for patrols, Hartland has not. After the contract expired in March of 2013, township officials have been working to analyze surveys, look for trends, and process data related to how the standard sheriff department patrols compare to the dedicated patrols enjoyed for the past 30 years. Township Manager James Wickman told the township board last night that response time for priority calls has increased by 60% in the past year, compared to an average of 24% for the rest of the county in the same time period. Additionally, traffic stops were reduced by more than half, and arrests, citations, and calls for service all decreased significantly. Wickman tells WHMI this was expected, and the changes are not a major concern for residents, who still report feeling safe in the township. However, the township board knows that the current policing model is not a long-term solution. Further investigation, possibly including the formation of a citizensâ task force, will be needed to find a sustainable police solution for the township. (TD)
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