Gini Schultz remembered a time when neighbors were concerned about the welfare of a mentally challenged young man living alone.
‘There wasn’t a day a Clarkston police officer didn’t stop, knock on the door, check on him and make sure he was fine,? Schultz said, noting that she has also known the department to check on cars that don’t belong in driveways and watch the homes of vacationing villagers. ‘They’ve been incredible about watching and about caring.?
Suzanne Doherty, however, had something of a different opinion.
‘I’ve lived here going on four years and had some encounters with (the Clarkston Police) that were less than desirable,? she said. ‘They don’t seem to care who you are, whether you’re a resident or not.?
Doherty said she was disappointed in the way an officer responded to a sensitive situation.
‘My mother passed away in hospice care,? she said. ‘The officer that handled it was abrupt, and not very courteous. I don’t understand why we’re paying all these taxes.?
About 30 residents showed up at a public hearing April 25 with a plethora of anecdotes and examples to illustrate why they like’and don’t like’the Clarkston Police.
Most who came to voice opinions had strong feelings one way or the other.
‘I thought we had a good turnout,? said Charles Inabnit, police committee chair. ‘I wish this many people would come to city council meetings so our elected officials could hear the things people are saying.?
The police committee will compile information gathered over the last several months and present a formal report and recommendation to city council May 14.
Committee members told residents the council was looking at three options.
First, continue the status quo of running the Clarkston Police Department during day and afternoon shifts, and subcontracting with Independence Township for midnight coverage from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. The city paid Independence Township $31,700 for the midnight service this year.
Second, the city could disband the Clarkston PD and slice about $100,000 from the budget by subcontracting with the township for OCSO coverage on all three shifts.
Finally, the city could go back to full time policing by its own officers.
‘We’re doing the best we can to gather all the information,? said committee member Tom Stone. ‘We’re looking at the numbers and trying to find a basis on which to make some comparisons, and we’ll share that with the council.?
In addition to hearing the resident’s experiences with the police, the committee also wanted to know what services were expected from the department.
By and large, residents wanted high visibility, personal service and officers who genuinely care what’s happening in the community.
‘I’d like to see more community policing,? said Kevin Harrison. ‘Get them out of their cars. I see them sitting out in from of Mills for hours at a time.?
Many other residents agreed, saying they’d like to see more officers out and about more often.
‘As a business owner, I’d like the police to stop by once a week to say hi, and know I exist,? said Rob Bondy. ‘As a resident on Main Street, I’d like them drive by twice a day.?
The high cost of maintaining the department was also in the forefront for many residents. ‘I’d like to see taxes go down,? said Sue Wylie, who noted it took the police department more than 24-hours to return a non-emergency call. ‘We’re paying a lot of money, and I’m not sure what kind of service we’re getting. I’m not real impressed with them.?
Other residents expressed skepticism about any tax reductions.
‘Service comes first,? said Alvin Covent. ‘I don’t believe we’ll ever see a bit of our tax money come back to our pockets. I just don’t believe it.?
Most residents who showed up also wanted more information. What was the consensus of the survey? Will we have a say in the final decision? Can it be put to a vote? Will there be any real impact on taxes?
All of that, said the committee, was up to the city council.