Drug paraphernalia, domestic assault, and animal abuse are already against state law. They’re now also violations of Independence Township’s Code of Ordinances.
Writing them into local law allows the township get more money, said Trustee Dan Kelly.
‘We get a greater share of the money when it’s a local ordinance than we do if it’s a state law,? Kelly said.
The Township Board approved these and ordinances against disturbing the peace and retail fraud, June 3.
Peter Keenan, township attorney for prosecution and enforcement of local ordinances, wrote up the revised ordinances.
‘A vast majority of the cases I see are either drug or alcohol related, either directly or indirectly,? said Keenan. ‘If there is one ordinance that officers on road patrol request time and time again, it is an ordinance for possession of drug paraphernalia.?
The board voted unanimously to approve each ordinance.
‘Its things that the judges have talked to me about and also the Sheriff’s Department asking us to put these in place,? said Dave Wagner, supervisor. ‘We’ve been working on it for about four or five months and finally we’re able to bring it all together and get approval.?
Trustee Charlie Dunn said the ordinances are justified for the township.
‘I think it’s appropriate that we prosecute these offenses within our own jurisdiction,? Dunn said.
Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen said she was glad Keenan brought the issue to the board.
‘He’s studied this, he’s talked to the court people, police officers, so it’s something he’s thoroughly researched and I am glad he’s taken the initiative to do that because we’re not in the court system we don’t know the problems that they’re encountering out there with drug paraphernalia or animal abuse,? she said. ‘There is no way we can know, so he’s the eyes and ears for us and he’s taking the problem to us.?