Cpl. Duane Griffis has worked with Huron Township police since August 1991. Photo courtesy Huron Township Police Department.

Watch a YouTube video of Cpl. Griffis’ last radio transmission below

By Scott Bolthouse—Hub Editor—ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com

Duane Griffis, a corporal with Huron Township police, retired Friday after serving 27 years with the department.

Griffis started working with Huron police in August 1991, and was honored last year for his life saving efforts related to an April 2016 murder-suicide call.

Related: Police officers, firefighter honored for their life-saving efforts

Everette Robbins, director of public safety, dispatched Griffis’ final run before he went out of service for the last time.

Video courtesy of Lyndsey Robbins

The final dispatch was followed by officers from Huron Township police, Huron Township Fire Department, Sumpter Township police, and Metro Park police all expressing their thanks and congratulations to Griffis over the radio.

Officers from the same departments then lined the Huron Township Police Department to say their goodbyes and congratulations.

“Corporal Griffis has been a great representative of not only the Huron Township Police Department, but also the Law Enforcement profession. Even after 27 years of enforcing the laws of this township, you would be hard pressed to find a person that would have anything bad to say about him. That is a true testament to his character, ethics, and professionalism. I cannot thank him enough for all he has meant to this department and the community,” Robbins said.

“Corporal Griffis was a true ambassador for our agency. He was a proud member of the Huron Township Breakfast Club. I will always be appreciative of the way he represented our department and the uniform.”

Robbins also expressed thanks to the Griffis family.

“What can often times get lost is the effect that this profession can have on an officer’s family. We wish them all the best in this next chapter of his life.”

Naloxone, commonly referred to as Narcan, is used to treat a narcotic overdose in an emergency situation. Photo courtesy Huron Township Department of Public Safety.

Police revived the man who had overdosed on an opioid, just days after the department received training on how to use antidote Narcan

By Scott Bolthouse—Hub Editor—ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com

Police revived a man using opioid antidote Narcan April 20 after he overdosed and had become unresponsive while driving through Huron Township with a friend.

Police were called to Chapp’s Gas Station, 37333 South Huron Road regarding an unresponsive 33-year-old who had just allegedly overdosed on an opioid.

The man was in a car with a friend, who had called 911 and stopped at the gas station during the overdose.

Public Saftey Director Everette Robbins said police were on scene within two minutes and could see the man was limp and unresponsive with a faint pulse.

The officer delivered Narcan through the man’s nose and he became responsive and alert about five minutes later.

He was then transported to Beaumont Hospital-Trenton for further evaluation.

Just days before on April 17, the Huron Township Police Department hosted training from the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority on police officer use of Narcan.

At the end of the training, officers and dispatch staff received certification to have Narcan on-hand and administer it to those in a narcotic overdose situation.

“I realize that the use of Narcan has become a controversial topic nationally. However, our job is to use all the tools we have to save lives and that is just what we did. Fortunately, we had an officer close and he was able to get to the victim and treat him quickly. We appreciate the training and partnership with Wayne County. The system worked just was it was supposed to and ultimately saved a life,” Robbins said.

“Last year, 64,000 people died of opioid overdose. It is an epidemic that is affecting many people’s sons, daughters, mothers and fathers. My hope is that those that we can save will take advantage of their second chance.”

Narcan blocks or reverses the effects of opioid medication, including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness.

The Huron Township Fire Department also carries Narcan for similar emergency situations.

Related: Paramedics use Narcan to revive three overdose victims in Huron Township

By Scott Bolthouse—Hub Editor—ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com

Dozens of drivers were cited recently in Huron Township for distracted driving during a special operation conducted by police designed to thwart the dangerous habit.

On Tuesday, 30 drivers were cited for texting and driving, including one semi truck driver.

One citation was issued for careless driving while texting and driving, and three were arrested for driving with suspended licenses while texting and driving.

Public Saftey Director Everette Robbins said the operation was conducted by the Huron Township Police Department Problem Oriented Policing Team. The Problem Oriented Policing Team is a proactive team assigned to work on specific quality of life issues for residents in the community.

This same team has recently conducted proactive details such as warrant sweeps, sex offender registry checks, school bus passing and search warrants.

“It is likely that our residents saw the increased visibility from our officers this past Tuesday. Distracted driving is an epidemic that affects all of us and is something I believe needs to be seriously addressed. The danger that exists when a driver decides they must text while in control of their vehicle, which is a two-ton missile, can be devastating to their family or someone else’s. We have seen it all too often and even here in Huron Township. Hopefully this can spark some conversation between parents and their young drivers as well,” said Public Saftey Director Everette Robbins.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2016, 3,450 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers, and 9.2 percent of fatal crashes nationally were reported as distraction-affected.

Statistics show millennials are the biggest offenders when it comes to texting and driving, with more 16-to-24-year-olds using phones while driving than any other age group.

Women are also more likely than men to text and drive, according to the NHTSA.

“I am proud to see our Problem Oriented Policing Team growing and they have done some great work for our residents. This is a highly motivated group with great leadership. Our residents can expect to see more information in the future about some of their upcoming projects. We also welcome ideas from the community as to ideas they have that can help improve their quality of life. They can always email, call or come see me to discuss issues that affect either the community as a whole or just their specific neighborhood,” Robbins said.

Police say Philip Fabinski, 60, faces felony and misdemeanor charges after he threatened a family member with a knife and barricaded himself in his basement April 6. Photo courtesy Huron Township Police Department.

By Scott Bolthouse—Hub Editor—ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com

A Huron Township resident was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after he barricaded himself inside of his house April 6 during a domestic incident involving a family member.

Police were called to the 36000 block of Willow Road at 2:24 p.m. on a domestic violence call involving a man with a knife.

When officers arrived at the house, they were told the suspect, Philip Fabinski, 60, had threatened a relative at the house with a knife.

Fabinski then barricaded himself in the basement of the house after making the threat.

Police set up a perimeter and were able to communicate with Fabinski, who surrendered over an hour later and was taken into custody without incident.

“This is a situation that had the potential to turn out quite differently. I commend our officers for their patience and professionalism. We were fortunate that no one was injured in this incident,” said Public Safety Director Everette Robbins.

Fabinski was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon,a four year felony, misdemeanor domestic assault, and second offense notice.

He is being held in the Wayne County Jail on a $20,000, 10% bond.