by Mary Jo David

On Aug. 4, Stockbridge Township voters voted down a public safety millage proposal. That proposal would have earmarked 2.4 mills specifically for police services, including operating expenses, sworn police officers, administrative staff, operations, replacement and additional equipment and vehicles, and for related program support for public safety.

As a result of the millage not being passed, the Village of Stockbridge police are no longer available to patrol or respond to calls from Stockbridge Township. Previously the Village had been contracted for providing 40 hours per week of policing services to the Township. That contract ended in August.

Stockbridge Township residents in need of police services are directed to dial 911, where the dispatcher will forward the call to the responding public safety department—either Ingham County Sheriff’s Office or the Michigan State Police.

Meanwhile, the Village of Stockbridge is also wrestling with budget shortfalls, and these will impact the Village police department. In an effort to address its obligation to build up and maintain a 25% general fund reserve for the Village, the municipality is planning cuts to the current police department. On Aug. 20, the Village of Stockbridge Council voted unanimously to continue funding the police department, but to reduce the force from one chief and two officers to one chief and one officer. The Council also authorized Chief Krause’s request to sell the 2016 Ford Explorer.