Category Archives: Police & Fire

Huron Township public safety department announces chaplain program

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Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub | Oct. 22, 2021

The Huron Township Department of Public Safety announced the launch of their chaplain program this week.

The public safety chaplain program offers a number of unique ministries and services to the Huron Township community.

The program will provide services related to serious injury, sudden illness or death of a police officer or firefighter (including their families), the counseling of police officers, dispatchers, or firefighters with personal or family related problems and the vital ministry of caring about the job that the professional public safety employee is asked to perform.

“Chaplains are looked upon with great respect as they represent their place of worship within our community. They will be there for the Huron Township community in times of great need or disaster while assisting our public safety department in carrying back the Department’s mission of service to the community,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety.

“Many times, they will be asked to help promote a more positive relationship between the public safety department and the Huron Township community. They will also be of great benefit to our staff who see things daily that could rightfully affect their mental health and personal well-being.”

Some of the duties of a chaplain are:

-Fostering familiarity with the role of law enforcement in the community.

-Providing an additional link between the community, other chaplain coordinators and the Agency.

-Providing a liaison with various civic, business, and religious organizations.

-Assisting the community when they request representatives or leaders of various denominations.

-Assisting the community in any other function, as needed, or requested.

-Making referrals in cases where specialized attention is needed or in cases that are beyond the chaplain’s ability to assist.

-Responding to any significant incident (e.g., natural, and accidental deaths, suicides and attempted suicides, family disturbances) in which the Patrol Sergeant or supervisor believes the chaplain could assist in accomplishing the mission of the Agency.

-Responding to all major disasters, such as natural disasters, bombings, and similar critical incidents

“I want our residents, business owners, and anyone who travels through our community to know this service is available to them anytime they may need it. It is an optional service that’s only intent is to help those that need it the most to get through a difficult time,” Robbins said.

“Without doubt, we have chosen two men who very much invested in this community, a place where they both call home. They both possess the integrity and ethics consistent with our organization’s core values. I am personally very proud to have Jim and John as part of our public safety family.”

Chaplain John Schwartz Bio:
Chaplain Schwartz grew up in Taylor, Michigan and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1973. He worked 24 years in the automotive industry before hearing God’s call to Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Chaplain Schwartz graduated from CTS with a Master of Divinity degree and received his first parish call to St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Shelby, Michigan. In 2007, God called him to Peace Lutheran Church and School in Warren, Michigan where he served 9 years. Chaplain Schwartz currently serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Boston. He pursued Chaplain training and is honored to serve First responders and the community of Huron Township in this role.

Chaplain James DuFour:
Chaplain James (Jim) DuFour is the founding pastor of Christian Bible Church, which initially started meeting in Huron High School back in August of 2008. CBC is a non-denominational, Bible Church that has since relocated to a permanent site located in Trenton, at 647 Sibley Road.

Jim has also been serving the community as the commander of the Huron Township Police Reserve Unit for 20 years. Jim is a fourth-generation resident of the Township and graduated from Huron High School in 1978. He and his wife, Marie DuFour (Moran), have lived in Huron for 39 of their nearly 40 years of marriage. Together they have raised four children and currently have one granddaughter.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

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Huron TWP public safety staff graduate from EMU School of Police Staff and Command leadership program

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From left: Lt. Bryan Tyitye; Sgt. Edward Hindley; Communications Administrator Jill Evans; Director Everette Robbins; Deputy Chief Mark Neumann. (Photos courtesy of Huron Township Public Safety)

Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub | Oct. 20, 2021

Huron Township public safety staff recently graduated from the Eastern Michigan University School of Police Staff and Command Executive Leadership program. 

Sergeant Edward Hindley and Communications Administrator Jill Evans graduated from the program that consists of a 10-month training program which meets for one 40-hour week per month.

“Professional, service-oriented, and transparent policing within any public safety organization starts with those we entrust as leaders. Our goal is to provide our public safety command staff with consistent and professional training as it relates to their leadership in delivering quality service to our residents. The Eastern Michigan School of Staff and Command is one of the preeminent programs in the country that focuses on the executive level training and development,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety.

Graduates have stated publicly that the knowledge, skills and abilities learned assisted them in: problem analysis; management situations; project management; grant funding projects; managing fiscal budgets; managing personnel matters.

“I am very proud of this accomplishment, and I think it will benefit them as they continue to be important leaders and mentors within our organization. This is a very intense program and I thank their families for supporting them throughout this past 10 months,” Robbins said.

Other Huron Township public safety staff that have graduated from the EMU School of Staff and Command: Everette Robbins, Director of Public Safety; James Hinojosa, Huron Township Fire Chief; Captain Bradley Bauman, Huron Township Fire Department; Detective Lieutenant Leo Girard, Sergeant Robert Kelch, Lieutenant Bryan Tyitye.

Communications Administrator Jill Evans and Sgt. Edward Hindley
PUBLIC ANNOUNCMENT

Police bus route patrol nabs 3 violators; public safety director reminds parents of safe bus stop habits

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Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub | Oct. 18, 2021

Three drivers were cited Monday for illegally passing school buses in Huron Township during a police patrol of the local routes.

Additionally, Huron’s public safety director wants to remind parents to practice safe bus stop habits as we head into the school year.

The special proactive detail included several plain clothes officers on multiple buses, several unmarked police vehicles following multiple busses, and fully marked patrol vehicles assigned to initiate traffic stops on offenders.

High School, middle school, and elementary bus routes were targeted and enforced.

Two drivers were cited near King Road and Merriman Road and one near Sibley Road and Merriman.

“One thing that caught me by surprise and was concerning today was the number of elementary age children standing by the busy road alone while parents waved from the door. My advice in the name of safety would be for parents to be with their children until they safely are on the bus, especially as we enter the cold weather season,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety.

“We will continue to do these proactive details on a regular basis as the safety of our children is our top priority. If you as a driver feel that you in such a hurry that you put one of our kids safety in jeopardy, my advice is to think twice, leave earlier for your destination, or accept your citation that we will gladly serve to you. We will have a zero-tolerance policy as always regarding this issue.”

Some tips for parents:

-Parents and kids should wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and for the red lights to be engaged before approaching the bus. Many drivers were observed to stop for the yellow lights, but not all. Many kids began to cross the street while the yellow yield lights were flashing, which could cause them to get struck by a vehicle.
-Multiple bus stops on busy roads had elementary age children at the stop without an adult present. This was especially dangerous with wet road conditions and kids too close to the road.
-Multiple parents were observed at the stop with their hands full. This included cell phones, coffee, etc. This could make it difficult for a parent to pull their child to safety in the event of an emergency.

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Water update from Huron TWP DPW director; boil water alert remains in effect

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Posted by The Huron Hub | Oct. 11, 2021 | 10:20 a.m.

A boil water alert remains in effect for all of Huron Township following a massive water main break that occurred on Sunday.

Here is a statement from Huron Township DPW director:

Good morning everyone. My name is Jim Lancaster and I am the DPW Director for Huron Township. As most of you know yesterday we had a waterman break that drastically dropped our water pressure throughout most of the Township. Since most of you had extremely low pressures we decided to err on the side of caution and issue a boil water alert. We do not believe we dropped below a dangerous pressure level but we decided to issue the alert as a precautionary measure as your safety is our first priority.
Most of you got your pressure back between 3-6 pm as we got the break isolated. We had to cut out and replace a 10 foot section of 12 inch waterman and got it back into service around 3 am this morning.
None of these factors alter the boil water alert as it is still in effect. The procedure moving forward is that we will begin flushing township mains early this morning. An independent lab will be called in to do samples at random points all over the township. 24 hour later we must sample those same locations again and as long as both samples are clear as expected then we can lift the boil water alert. Please utilize this site and Nixle to get the most up to date information which will be relayed as we get it. Thank you for your patience and understanding. The DPW office will be staffed from 8-4 tomorrow if you have questions but town hall will be closed for Columbus day. 734-753-4466 extention 123 or 124.

Stay with The Huron Hub as we continue to post updates on the water situation.

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Boil water alert issued in Huron Township

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A temporary boil water alert has been issued for all of Huron Township as of Sunday morning. A large water main break occurred in the township causing the boil water alert.

Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub | Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 | 10:35 a.m. EDT

A boil water alert has been issued for all of Huron Township following a very large water main break that has occurred.

The following is a statement from Huron Township DPW:

“Due to a very large water main break Huron Charter Township is issuing a temporary boil water alert for the entire Township. We do not believe the water pressure dropped to a dangerous level, however we are airing on the side of caution until the repair is made and we can properly flush the system to ensure the safety of our water customers. Once the proper testing is completed we will lift the boil water alert. More information will be forthcoming. We will be providing information via Nixle and Facebook as the situation develops. Thank you for your patience and understanding,”

Boil water alert resources

Check back with The Huron Hub for updates to this story

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Water main break causes pressure issues in Huron Township Sunday

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File photo

Update: Boil water alert in Huron Township

Original post:

Posted by The Huron Hub | Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 | 9:07 a.m. EDT

A water main break somewhere in the township has caused pressure issues throughout the area.

Here is a statement from Huron Department of Public Safety:

“The Huron Township Department of Public Works (DPW) is currently out investigating an issue with low water pressure throughout the Township. It is believed that there may be a water main break somewhere that has not been located yet. If anyone observes a potential water main break, please contact the Huron Township Emergency Dispatch Center at 734-753-4400,” a message from the Huron Township Department of Public Safety said.

Check back for updates to this story

Second driver in a week ignores school bus stop lights in Huron Township during police patrol

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While the bus’s red lights were engaged, a driver in a late model Ford Explorer completely ignores the red flashing stop lights. Video courtesy of Huron Township Department of Public Safety

Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub | Sept. 22, 2021 | scottbolthouse@huronhub.com

For the second time in about a week, Huron Township police caught a driver ignoring a school bus’s stop lights, and it was recorded on police dash cam video.

Police were conducting a patrol of school bus routes in the township on Tuesday, Sept. 21.

The video shows a school bus stopped on Sibley Road west of Middle Belt Road at 3:14 p.m.

Watch the video below:

While the bus’s red lights were engaged, a driver in a late model Ford Explorer completely ignores the red flashing stop lights and continues to drive past the stopped bus.

The driver was immediately pulled over and cited for the infraction.

A similar incident occurred last week in Huron Township.

“This issue is one that I feel very strongly about,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety. “Our proactive patrol is something that has been going on for several years. We will not be able to catch every offender, but we will certainly do all we can to do so. Maybe by sharing these videos, we will be able to educate the public as to how dangerous this actually is, as well as make them think twice about their actions in case we are watching. Just because the public may not always see us, it doesn’t mean we aren’t there.”

Below is the law regarding school bus passing directly from the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code.

257.682 Stopping for school bus displaying flashing red lights; violation as civil infraction; meeting stopped school bus on divided highway; proof; rebuttable presumption; community service.
Sec. 682.

(1) The operator of a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus that has stopped and is displaying 2 alternately flashing red lights located at the same level shall bring the vehicle to a full stop not less than 20 feet from the school bus and shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer actuated. The operator of a vehicle who fails to stop for a school bus as required by this subsection, who passes a school bus in violation of this subsection, or who fails to stop for a school bus in violation of an ordinance that is substantially similar to this subsection, is responsible for a civil infraction.
(2) The operator of a vehicle upon a highway that has been divided into 2 roadways by leaving an intervening space, or by a physical barrier, or clearly indicated dividing sections so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, is not required to stop upon meeting a school bus that has stopped across the dividing space, barrier, or section.
(3) In a proceeding for a violation of subsection (1), proof that the particular vehicle described in the citation was in violation of subsection (1), together with proof that the defendant named in the citation was, at the time of the violation, the registered owner of the vehicle, constitutes a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the violation.
(4) In addition to the civil fine and costs provided for a civil infraction under section 907, the judge, district court referee, or district court magistrate may order a person who violates this section to perform not more than 100 hours of community service. 

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Video: police catch driver ignoring school bus stop in Huron Township

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Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub | Sept. 21, 2021 | scottbolthouse@huronhub.com

A driver on Sibley Road in Huron Township made a dangerous decision and chose to ignore the stop lights on a school bus last week, and was immediately pulled over by police for doing so.

The incident was caught on police dash cam video during a patrol of school bus routes that was being conducted on Sept. 16 by Huron Township police.

In the video, you can see the driver clearly ignore the red flashing lights at the bus stop.

“As you will see, a driver completely disregards the flashing red lights and if you look closely, you will see a child that has to stop from crossing to avoid being hit. The driver was stopped and cited,” said a Facebook post on the Huron Township Department of Public Safety page.

Here is a video showing what happened:

“Unfortunately, year after year, we have drivers that believe their time is more important than the safety of our children,” the post by the public safety department said. “Drivers, this is not ok! There is NO EXCUSE and we will accept no excuses as we issue your citation. Please slow down and give yourself extra time to make your destination.”

Below is the law regarding school bus passing directly from the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code.

257.682 Stopping for school bus displaying flashing red lights; violation as civil infraction; meeting stopped school bus on divided highway; proof; rebuttable presumption; community service.
Sec. 682.

(1) The operator of a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus that has stopped and is displaying 2 alternately flashing red lights located at the same level shall bring the vehicle to a full stop not less than 20 feet from the school bus and shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer actuated. The operator of a vehicle who fails to stop for a school bus as required by this subsection, who passes a school bus in violation of this subsection, or who fails to stop for a school bus in violation of an ordinance that is substantially similar to this subsection, is responsible for a civil infraction.
(2) The operator of a vehicle upon a highway that has been divided into 2 roadways by leaving an intervening space, or by a physical barrier, or clearly indicated dividing sections so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, is not required to stop upon meeting a school bus that has stopped across the dividing space, barrier, or section.
(3) In a proceeding for a violation of subsection (1), proof that the particular vehicle described in the citation was in violation of subsection (1), together with proof that the defendant named in the citation was, at the time of the violation, the registered owner of the vehicle, constitutes a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the violation.
(4) In addition to the civil fine and costs provided for a civil infraction under section 907, the judge, district court referee, or district court magistrate may order a person who violates this section to perform not more than 100 hours of community service.

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Alcohol suspected in Sept. 11 crash on Prescott Road that sends passenger to hospital

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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.

MDHHS, Wayne County recommend evacuation for areas of Flat Rock due to hazardous fumes from gas leak

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Posted by The Huron Hub | Sept. 5, 2021

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.