City Will Host Forum on Future of Police Dispatch

The will hold a public forum before it goes forward with any plan to department to Pittsfield Township.

In a statement at Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Gretchen Driskell stressed that no decisions have been made and that the city is still in the stages of studying the move, which city officials say could eventually save the city close to $125,000 annually. Driskell told the audience that the city was considering the move, in part, because Lansing is urging communities to consolidate services to save money. The 2012 budget that Gov. Rick Snyder signed replaces $300 million in discretionary revenue with $200 million that will be awarded to communities that adopt “best practices.”

“We’re talking about it. That is what is being expected of us by the state,” Driskell said. “We have no intention of compromising the safety of the community.”

Driskell said the city is being transparent about its study of the issue.

“There is some innuendo that this is being done quietly and that we are springing this on people. There is no secret plan,” Driskell said. “We are talking about this in a very methodical way. We’re changing the way we do business in this community and in this state, and change can be difficult. I have appreciated the feedback I’ve received, and I want to continue to hear that.”

Earlier in the meeting, Saline police officer and union leader Chris Boulter urged the council to vote on whether the city should continue studying this issue. Boulter said morale has plummeted in the police department.

“I know for a fact right now that there are five employees, out of 21, that are actively seeking other employment,” Boulter said. “It’s only going to get worse the longer this drags out.”

Boulter said the city’s 24/7 dispatch helps provide Saline with a sense of community and is part of the “small-town” feel that attracts residents and keeps them here. He said dispatch performs many duties that people don’t read about in the newspaper.

“People come to the police department at 2 a.m. when they are involved in a domestic assault and are looking for safety. People who feel they are being chased by people on the streets when they are driving come in for safety. Just two weeks ago on a Saturday … storms came out of nowhere and there were three girls between the ages of 10 and 13 that came in. One of them came in. They were frantic. Luckily, the dispatcher was able to talk to her, calm her down and let her sit there until her parents came,” Boulter said. “They are not going to get that in a phone box out in the lobby. As someone who pays $4,000-a-year-plus in taxes, that’s worth every cent.”

Boulter commended council member Glenn Law for voicing his opposition to the plan at a recent meeting.

Residents Mary Hess and Mary Lirones spoke on the issue during public comment. Hess suggested the city maintain public safety as its top priority.

“Hanging baskets and those things are window dressing. This is about safety. You owe the taxpayers of Saline safety and welfare,” Hess said.

Lirones told the council it should poll the citizenry before moving ahead with any such plans.

“When citizens feel cared for, they care for the city. When they don’t feel cared for, they don’t care for the city,” Lirones said. “That’s when you start to get ‘no’ votes on millages and bonds.”

The city employs eight dispatchers, including three on a full-time basis.