Springfield revises omnibus crime ordinance

With little discussion, the Springfield Township Board on April 14 passed second reading of amendments to the township’s omnibus crime ordinance.
The amendments establish a curfew for young people, severely limit skateboarding or in-line skating on public streets and sidewalks, and add other offenses as recommended by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Supervisor Collin Walls, the sheriff’s office requested the amendments to bring several ordinances into line with their common enforcement practice in other communities and to help deter certain types of crimes.
Walls said revisions were made to add bicycles to the list of prohibited items in the section regarding ‘loitering? and blocking of public sidewalks. The previous version mentioned only skateboards and in-line skating. Walls also said the curfew section has been revised to be consistent with existing state law.