Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub | Sept. 13, 2021
Alcohol use is suspected in a crash that occurred on Prescott Road on Sept. 11 that sent a passenger to the hospital for treatment due to injuries.
According to police, the crash occurred in the 29000 block of Prescott Road Saturday at 11:00 p.m.
“The injuries were initially thought to be life threatening for one of the passengers, but it appears they are in stable condition at this point and expected to survive. There were two occupants within the vehicle,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety.
“Alcohol initially appears to be a factor in the crash. The driver was taken into custody for driving under the influence. Blood results are pending and the case will ultimately be sent to the Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney’s office,” Robbins said.
The Downriver Crash Team was called to the scene to help investigate the crash.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Wayne County Health Department (WCHD) are recommending residents of the Flat Rock area bounded by I-75 to the east, Gibraltar Road to the north, Cahill Road to the west and Woodruff Road to the south evacuate their homes until further notice due to the potential risks caused by fumes from a gasoline leak from a storage tank at the Ford Motor Co.’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant. Response teams will go door-to-door immediately beginning Sunday, Sept. 5, in affected areas to ensure residents are informed and receive quick and accurate information about evacuation.
In addition to the smaller geographic area described above, there is a broader area of Flat Rock under investigation for potential exposure. This area is bounded by Gibraltar Road to the north, Sheeks Road to the west, East Huron River Drive to the south, and Tamarack Road to the East, as well as buildings along Woodruff between East Huron River Drive and Cahill Road. MDHHS and Wayne County want to make the residents aware of the potential for the chemicals to have traveled to this area and that the area will be under investigation. If residents are concerned about potential exposure to chemicals in their home, they may want to evacuate their homes until further information is available.
At this time, it is unclear which specific homes may be at risk and it is possible residents in some areas of the potentially impacted area have not been exposed. The City of Flat Rock, WCHD, MDHHS, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) continue to work together to understand the potential risks and will update the community as more information is learned. If you need assistance with evacuation and/or relocation, please call Flat Rock’s hotline at 734-782-2455, ext. 6.
The community is at risk of exposure to high levels of benzene, considered a total Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), which can be harmful to human health. Measurements of air inside buildings and sewer lines have shown levels of VOCs exceeding health protective and/or explosive levels.
Benzene is a flammable and colorless liquid with a sweet odor used to make other chemicals. It is found in gasoline, crude oil and tobacco smoke. Breathing in higher levels of benzene can cause people to feel sleepy or dizzy, have headaches, vomit or have a rapid heart rate. Both long- and short-term exposure to benzene can increase risks of cancer, cause blood problems, and harm the immune system. Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms or health concerns, or if you believe you may have been exposed.
“We urge Michiganders in the affected areas to take swift action and evacuate their homes,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “You may not be able to see or smell the vapors that could put your health at risk, and we recommend everyone in the affected area consider relocating until further notice and we can confirm it is safe to return to your homes.”
On Aug. 31, MDHHS received a report regarding a potential release of an unknown chemical into the sewer. Along with local, state and federal partners, MDHHS responded to investigate and address the concerns which resulted in confirmation of harmful vapors in the community.
Air sampling conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified elevated levels of VOCs throughout the Flat Rock sanitary sewer system. Partners are working to slow the spread of these chemicals and stop further exposure. Continued monitoring will measure the impact of the contamination in the sewer lines throughout Flat Rock.
MDHHS partnered with the City of Flat Rock, the Wayne County Health Department, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to identify the source, which was confirmed Friday as being the Flat Rock Assembly Plant.
As this is an evolving situation, we will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Huron Township police are inviting residents to a cup of coffee and a conversation about public safety on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at Doc’s Ice Cream and Coffee, 37337 Huron River Drive in New Boston.
Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety, was appointed by Governor Whitmer to the state’s new task force on juvenile justice reform.
In June, Whitmer created the task force on juvenile justice with a focus on analyzing the juvenile justice system and recommending “proven practices and strategies for reform grounded in data, research, and fundamental constitutional principles,” a statement from the governor’s office said.
Robbins is the chief of police and director of public safety for Huron Township, and has lead the department since May 2014 when he was appointed.
He holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Public Safety Studies from Siena Heights University and earned his MCOLES certification from Washtenaw County Community College.
Robbins is appointed to represent a police chief nominated by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.
Robbins said it is a privilege to be appointed to the position.
“I am very honored to be chosen to represent Huron Township on this very important task force. This is a great opportunity to be a part of something that can make a great impact on many young lives,” Robbins said. “When my career is over, I hope my legacy will be the things we have been able to do for the youth within our community.”
Since 2012, Robbins has worked with juveniles on the FBI’s southeast Michigan crimes against children task force as a task force officer and board member. The task force focuses on combating human trafficking, and also includes Leo Girard, a detective lieutenant with Huron Township police.
Robbins also was assigned to the juvenile and gang intelligence division with the Washtenaw County Sheriff Department.
The governor’s task force includes members of the executive branch, legislature, judiciary, and juvenile justice community.
Appointees will serve for two-year terms expiring July 22, 2023.
The task force is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist.
“To fully change our criminal justice system into a system that will position young Michiganders for success, we need the best minds from a wide variety of backgrounds to lead the Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform,” Gilchrist said. “I am very confident that these appointees are going to do everything in their power to ensure that we focus on building and delivering reforms that will make our communities safer while improving outcomes for individuals who come into contact with our criminal justice system. When we allow everyone to have a seat at the table, we make sure that these policies will be inclusive and equitable for all.”
Photos courtesy of Huron Township Department of Public Safety
Posted by The Huron Hub – Monday, July 6, 2021
Huron Township public safety staff helped save a kayaker in distress last week who was on the Huron River without a life jacket on.
Huron Township public safety staff helped save a kayaker in distress last week who was on the Huron River without a life jacket on.
On June 27, 2021 at 7:02 p.m., The Huron Township Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the 22000 block of Bell Road for a kayaker in distress on the river.
The kayaker was described as holding on to a tree with no life jacket.
The Huron Township Fire Department responded with a rescue boat.
At 7:40 p.m., firefighters reported that the person was rescued and was safely in the rescue boat.
An initial investigation indicated that the person had a life jacket on the boat but lost it when the boat capsized.
Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Woodhaven, and Rockwood fire departments also responded as part of mutual aid.
“Our 16-foot Rescue Boat was put into active service in January of this year. This is our second successful rescue this season. We have trained several of our firefighters to operate the boat so we could quickly respond in the event that a life-saving effort is needed,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety.
“Although the river may not look very intimidating at times, it is important that those on the water wear a personal flotation device at all times. If we have learned anything, it is that these incidents occur quickly and without notice. We are thankful we were able to get the victim to shore safely. I don’t think I can say enough how thankful I am for our first responders who without thought put themselves in harm’s way. With that being said, we also feel extremely fortunate to have a community that supports its public safety department. This support allows us to purchase and maintain the tools we need to do the job safely, which in turn saves lives.”
Posted by The Huron Hub — Saturday, April 24, 2021
9:04 AM EST
A freeway shooting on I-94 near Haggerty Road in Van Buren Township on Friday led police to a house in New Boston, authorities said.
Few details about the incident were available on Saturday morning.
Michigan State Police are in charge of the investigation.
“On 4/23 at approximately 12 20 PM, MSP 911 received calls reference a freeway shooting at eastbound I-94 near Haggerty. The freeway was closed and evidence was collected. No one was issued. The investigation led detectives to a home in Huron Township,” a statement from Michigan State Police said.
“Members of the ES Team entered the home without incident. No one was located in the residence. Detectives continue to search for evidence and interview witnesses and the victim. We will continue to update.”
Final Update: On 4/23 at approximately 12 20 PM, MSP 911 received calls reference a freeway shooting at eastbound I-94 near Haggerty. The freeway was closed and evidence was collected. No one was issued. The investigation led detectives to a home in Huron Township. pic.twitter.com/biKBuEARKV
