A recent effort to cut $349 million from the current state budget earlier this year, also included chopping $1.7 million from the Michigan State Police budget. The move prompted the layoffs of 100 troopers statewide and three from the Groveland Township Post.
However, the cut may not have immediate impact in MSP coverage in the Groveland Township area.
Shanon Akans, Michigan State Police public affairs officer said that since 2001 statewide more than 350 troopers have been cut from the ranks.
‘With the additional 100 troopers cut, which includes three from Groveland Township, from the ranks we can’t attribute specific crimes increasing or instances at this point regarding the cuts,? said Akans.
‘However, there are less shifts on the road which exacerbates an already thin state police force. Even before the recent layoffs, we were not full capacity, we are at a 40-year staffing low. It’s not going to get better, but there are few options.?
MSP Sgt.Tim Routowocz, from the Groveland Post said the loss of three troopers, who were still in training sets back new future patrols. Currently there are eight troopers at Groveland Post.
‘Oakland and Genesee counties is unique, the sheriff contracts with communities, it’s not like that all over the state. It’s more difficult to fill in holes in coverage this way.?
Akans said the recent cuts were done by lowest seniority regardless of the number of troopers at the posts. Other area posts impacted were the Flint MSP Post in Genesee County, layoffs including five troopers, and Bridgeport MSP Post in Saginaw County depleted their ranks by three troopers.
This past week two instances were reported that Oakland County Sheriff Deputies responded to assist the MSP.
On July 6 Oakland County Sheriff Deputies responded to 100 block of Groveland Road in Groveland Township to assist the Michigan State Police with a possible home invasion in progress. The complainant indicated she heard something hit the house, then saw someone running from her yard. According to the Oakland County Sheriff Office, the MSP did not have a unit available to respond. Deputies checked the area, but did not find any signs of a home invasion or a suspect being on the property.
On July 5 at about 1 a.m., deputies responded to the area of Rood and East Holly roads in Holly Township for a large fight in progress. The complainant indicated he heard someone threatening to shoot another. Michigan State Police from the Groveland Post advised they did not have a car available to respond. Deputies were unable to locate the responsible and learned they had left the area just prior to their arrival.
Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe said these responses by deputies to the MSP are not uncommon.
‘Two or three times per month we respond to areas of the Michigan State Police,? said McCabe. ‘Often the trooper is at court or at the county jail. If there is a life threatening emergency, we’ll respond. However, we don’t respond to non-life threatening situations’that’s a longtime policy.?
McCabe said Groveland, Holly and Rose townships do not contract with Oakland County for police protection, and utilize the MSP for coverage.
‘At one point the Groveland Post had 17 troopers out there’will they be calling us more often? ‘Yes.? It will however, be at the expense of the local communities. This is the just another factor of the poor economy.?