By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted May 22, 2019 — 5:00 p.m EST

Huron Township police were involved in three special initiatives this week: bus stop enforcement, distracted driving patrols, and a check of businesses that sell liquor and tobacco to make sure they aren’t selling to minors.

On Wednesday, police conducted a proactive school bus detail.

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.

One driver was cited for illegally passing a school bus.

Everette Robbins, director of public safety, gave some tips to parents that help make bus stops more safe:

• 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.

In addition to the bus stop initiative, police also conducted a distracted driving detail on Wednesday.

The detail specifically targeted drivers that were texting and driving, creating a hazardous situation for other drivers.

Plain clothes officers teamed with marked patrol units to identify people driving while distracted.

During the detail, 48 citations were issued for drivers that were texting and driving or other hazardous driving.

One driver was cited for distracted driving for reading the newspaper while driving down the highway.

Two distracted drivers were arrested for driving with suspended licenses, and another distracted driver was arrested for having seven warrants for his arrest.

“It was disappointing to realize that even in the pouring rain, which led to poor visibility, drivers were still allowing themselves to be distracted while driving. Way too many people are losing their lives due to distracted driving. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call for all of us,” Robbins said.

On Tuesday, police conducted a proactive liquor and tobacco operation in Huron.

All establishments in the township that sell tobacco and/or liquor were tested for the sale of liquor and tobacco to a minor.

“We are pleased to say that every establishment passed the test. We commend our business owners for their continuing attention in this matter,” Robbins said.

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Posted by The Huron Hub on May 9, 2019 — 1:00 p.m. EST 

The Huron Township Police Explorers will be collecting bottles May 11 to help fund a summer trip that will provide training for the group.

From The Hub archives: Huron Township Police Department reinstates police explorers program

At 11 a.m. on May 11, the explorers will be walking through the Claremont, Falkirk and Trail Creek communities in Huron Township. 

Bottle donations can be left on the front porch for pick up.

Businesses interested in sponsoring the explorer program can call Director Everette Robbins at 734-753-4400.

The French Landing Dam and Powerhouse is in Van Buren Township and crosses the Huron River, creating Belleville Lake. (Photo/Dwight Burdette/Wikipedia.org)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Published May 7, 2019 — 10:15 a.m. EST 

Due to the recent heavy rainfall, some residents in the township have voiced concern about the French Landing Dam in Van Buren Township.

The Huron Township Department of Public Safety posted an update on their Facebook page Tuesday morning saying the dam is at a high flow alert level, but is not in danger of failing.

“Due to recent rain, the French Landing Dam is at the “High Flow” alert level. This means flooding is occurring on the river system but there is no apparent threat to the integrity of the dam. At this time, the dam is not in danger of failing,” the department said.

The dam crosses the Huron River in Van Buren Township and supports the existence of Belleville Lake.

“We will provide updates should the alert level be upgraded. All residences in the affected zone have been notified.”

According to the department, four homes in Huron Township have been specifically identified as homes that could be impacted by a failure at the dam.

“A protocol and emergency action plan is in place specifically for issues and emergencies relating to the French Landing Dam,” the department said May 2 in a statement.

“If there is an emergency threat to the French Landing Dam, Huron Township officers will respond directly to the affected homes to notify residents. We have very recently made contact at the affected residences and will once again make sure they are aware of the emergency action plan in an effort to make them feel safe and secure.”

The French Landing Dam in Van Buren Township. Photo: Wikipedia

Published Thursday, May 2, 2019

A message from the Huron Township Director of Public Safety:

THE FRENCH LANDING DAM
With the recent flooding over the past few days, there has been some understandable concern and questions about the French Landing Dam. For those that may not be aware, the French Landing Dam is on the east end of Belleville Lake and is connected to the Huron River. If there was ever an emergency at the dam, Huron Township could be affected. In fact, four homes have been specifically identified as homes that could be impacted by a failure of the dam.

A protocol and emergency action plan is in place specifically for issues and emergencies relating to the French Landing Dam.

According to the monitoring officials, the dam is currently flowing higher than normal and some flooding is occurring. However, there is no apparent threat to the integrity of the dam and per officials, the water levels appear to be decreasing. It is important to clarify that a High Flow warning does NOT mean that the dam is in danger of failing. Should the alert level be increased, proper notifications will occur.

If there is an emergency threat to the French Landing Dam, Huron Township Officers will respond directly to the affected homes to notify residents. We have very recently made contact at the affected residences and will once again make sure they are aware of the emergency action plan in an effort to make them feel safe and secure. I plan on talking to each of them directly today.

As always, I encourage residents to contact me directly with any questions and/or concerns. This can be either done in person, by email at erobbins@hurontwppd.us, or by phone at 734-753-4400.

Respectfully,
Everette Robbins, Director of Public Safety