Two and a half years ago, Clarkston Police Chief Paul Ormiston requested contracting with the county for police coverage on midnights.
Now, Ernest Combs, the new Clarkston Police Chief at the helm, wants his officers on midnights.
Combs asked City Council members at their Monday, Nov. 10 meeting to consider reinstating city officers on the midnight shift, and discontinue contracting with the Independence Township Oakland County Sheriff’s Department substation, though it would cost the city $14,152 more to do so.
Ormiston had originally wanted to contract with the county to increase the level of service during day and afternoon shifts, when it was needed most.
City Manager Art Pappas said, “The previous chief had problems with scheduling for the (midnight) shift and also there wasn’t enough activity to warrant an officer on duty. He felt it was more convenient (to contract with OCSD).”
The City of the Village of Clarkston council approved the contract in March 2001.
Councilman Scott Meyland said, “We are very happy with the county. There is absolutely nothing wrong with (their coverage). We’re very happy with the services we are receiving from both departments.”
But Combs said the Sheriff’s Department only provides calls for service.
“My officers are proactive. We rattle doors, check cars and suspicious persons, without having to be called. Therein lies the difference.”
One of Combs’ main objectives in patrolling the streets of Clarkston is getting drunk drivers off the roads. He said most drunks are out driving after 11 p.m.
Just this past weekend, Combs placed a special drunk driving enforcement car out on the road and two drunk drivers were arrested — one at 1:05 a.m. on Nov. 15 and the other at 2:04 a.m. on Nov. 16. This, he said, is a perfect example of what the city officers could do if the midnight shifts were reinstated.
“I like to have my own people out there patrolling how I want them to patrol. Now, I have no control over the midnight shift. By having our officers on the midnight shift they would carry out the mission, objective and priorities of this department.”
Combs said he has received several requests from citizens asking to bring back city officers to the midnight shift.
“For approximately $14,152 more than the current OCSD contract, I can staff the midnight shift with our own Clarkston Police Department officers.”
The current contract with the OCSD is $27,525.
Combs estimated costs at $38,556 for regular wages, $1,296 for holiday wages, and $1,825 for vehicle expenses, for an estimated total of $41,677 for the city.
“We’re going to take a closer look at this to see if it is worth pursuing,” Meyland said, noting the council may make a recommendation by the end of the year.
Recent election numbers indicated many Clarkston citizens feel the city may already be paying too much for police services. In his campaign, candidate Steve Wylie had proposed abolishing the police department and contracting with the county full time. Wylie received 135 votes, just under the 150 to 155 votes for the three incumbents.
Meyland said the council may have to get creative in how they attack this issue, not just because of the election results, but because sensitivity is applied in all decision making, especially one that involves a financial increase.
“If the residents say they really want this that would certainly have an affect, but a lot goes into making a decision. We’re clearly not going to jump into any decision.”