FeedsPolice prepared to face weather, holidays
While many local residents focus on decorations, gift-wrapping and large family meals, Plymouth-area law enforcement officials focus on public safety.
The City of Plymouth and the Plymouth Township police departments believe they are prepared keep law in order in the municipalities.
“We’re doing pretty much the same things we always do— enforce the law,” said City of Plymouth Director of Public Safety Wayne Carroll. He said his department will put a special emphasis on traffic management as the closure of Shelton Road will cause detours through the heart of the downtown Plymouth shopping district.
“We will be diligent with traffic and helping people figure out where to go,” said Carroll who realizes holiday season may bring out the best in most people but can bring out the worst.
“You always have to watch people who write bad-checks, identity theft and shoplifters,” said Carroll.
Carroll said there is not a problem with retail or identity theft but he believes the more informed the community is, the less likely the community will become victimized.
“We simply won’t allow it,” Carroll added.
Chief Tom Tiderington of the Plymouth Township Police Department is concerned with the havoc Michigan winter can cause on local roads during Christmas.
“The weather is bad this time of year leading to more traffic wrecks and accidents because of ice,” said Tiderington whose officers will patrol the streets within the township. The highways around Plymouth Township and the City of Plymouth are patrolled by the Michigan State Police.
Tiderington said during the holidays it not unusual for police departments to see a rise in domestic violence calls. “The stress of having the family all together gets to some people,” Tiderington added.
The township police chief lauds his officers along with city police and other emergency workers including the 911 emergency dispatch operators for their ability to balance their professional responsibilities to the municipality with their personal responsibilities to their families during the holidays. December 25 won’t be a day off for every officer.
“The laws must be enforced on every holiday. This is the time of year our officers really step-up.”
