Location, location, location.
Supporters of moving the Sheriff’s Office Springfield Township substation into the fire station on Dixie Highway and Rattalee Lake Road say location is a key issue.
‘I’ve lived in Springfield Township seven years,? said Trustee Judy Hensler during the March 12 board meeting. ‘Until a month ago, I didn’t know where to find (the substation). I’m strongly in favor of doing this.?
The substation is currently located inside the Columbiere Center on Big Lake Road.
On March 12, the board approved a spending up to $1,500 on a more detailed set of plans, including a cost estimate schedule, for the project, by a 6-0 vote. Treasurer Jamie Dubre was absent.
‘I’ve recently undertaken an informal review of all my departments,? said Springfield Township Supervisor Mike Trout. ‘There are several challenges with (the Columbiere) site; at the same time it does not cost the township anything.?
Currently, the township utilizes the space rent-free.
But when the fire station underwent a recent $1.1 million makeover, potential space for relocating the substation was included in the renovations.
‘I’d like to take a more detailed look at that possibility,? Trout said.
Sgt. Tim Willis, Commander of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Springfield Township substation, said location was indeed a key issue.
‘Our substation is difficult to find and not easily accessible,? he said. ‘And witnesses or (crime) victims are sometimes intimidated coming here, knowing it’s a (drug and alcohol) rehab center.?
Although Columbiere officials have been ‘more than gracious helping with any issues,? Willis said other challenges exist, as well.
If a deputy happens to be at the substation when a hot call’a situation requiring lights and sirens’comes in, for example, it’s difficult to get down the center’s long winding driveway, out Big Lake Road and up to Dixie Highway in a hurry.
‘You just can’t go flying down there,? Willis said. ‘You’ve got people walking around, golfers and kids at marching band practice in the summer. It’s not safe, and it’s time consuming.?
And while several trustees expressed that they ‘wanted to see deputies on the road, not sitting around the substation,? Willis noted it’s definitively not the case.
Deputies, he said, are almost always out on the road or responding to calls.
Willis and the substation’s one detective, however, do spend a fair amount of time in the substation, including work beyond the typical commander’s duties.
‘I don’t have a secretary, so I’m responsible for all the administrative work,? he said. ‘I do payroll, vacations and field calls from the public about anything and everything. And we’re constantly working to track suspects, witnesses, verify all kinds of information, things like that.?
But Willis was careful to point out he wasn’t complaining.
‘This is one of the most desirable communities to work in as far as I’m concerned,? he said. ‘I’ve got a good working relationship with the township supervisor, I’ve got a great detective and some fine deputies.?
And he’s not the first to notice Columbiere is ‘just not a police station.?
Upon his departure last year, former substation commander Sgt. Mark Gardner, who now holds the commander’s position in Royal Oak Township, had similar comments.
‘I’d like to see us in another location,? Gardener said. (Something similar to the Independence Township substation) would be real nice.?
Springfield Township Fire Chief Charlie Oaks said he was open to the possibility of sharing his bright new station with the sheriff’s office.
‘We’re a team,? Oaks said. ‘Police and fire have to work hand in hand; we’re supposed to be working in the best interest of the people of Springfield Township, not ourselves.?
But, he noted, several issues need consideration.
‘This facility was built with taxpayer money budgeted for fire,? Oaks said. ‘The township board would have to come up with some kind of a rental agreement for the police. I don’t think it would be right to pay maintenance, utilities and upkeep for the police out of my fire budget.?
If plans come to fruition, the substation would be built into the fire station’s 1,532 square-foot multipurpose room, with partitions and other accommodations added to support police needs.
A preliminary floor plan distributed to board members included a 12×12 substation commander’s office, 13×12 detective’s office, a 13×9 squad room, 7×7 interrogation room, and men’s and women’s locker and restroom facilities and a storage area and small break room. Such an addition, however, would make administering elections more complicated; the station is used as Precinct 2.
And, said Oaks, if police do move into the station, the facility won’t be as accessible for other groups. Currently, space’utilized at varying degrees’is available for meetings of nonprofit organizations.
‘We have some issues to be worked out,? Oaks said. ‘I hope the board will consult carefully with me before they make a decision.?
Board members had mixed reactions to the plan, but agreed to move forward in the information-seeing phase.
‘You think it’s bad now, you should have seen it before,? said Trustee Dave Hopper at the March 12 meeting. ‘Columbiere noticed (the township was thinking of moving the substation a few years ago and kicked in some funds. They put $20,000 or $25,000 in that place. It is the bottom corner of the township, and it is hard to find but if this costs $50,000 or $60,000 when (Columbiere) costs nothing, that’s my concern.?
Trustee Denny Vallad had different thoughts, noting it was always his ‘vision? to relocate the substation to the fire facility.
‘All the stuff that has to be done in office environment is not conducive to that type of operation at Columbiere,? he said. ‘Quite frankly, this is going to be a bargain because the building is already there.?
Clerk Laura Moreau, for the most part, agreed.
‘I did see the (current) facility there’s no doubt it’s not working out very well for (the police),? she said. ‘My biggest concern is how we’re going to be able to pay for the relocation.?
Especially given the uncertainty of future contract costs with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, she noted.