Leaders in Isabella County are stunned by the news that the special millage that would have saved the Sheriff’s Road Patrol Division failed on Election Day.
The millage would have saved 20 jobs from being axed. Now, the sheriff and the undersheriff will be the only ones left to cover the entire county.
County administrator Nicole Frost said she was stunned by the results.
“This is tough. I’m disappointed in myself that I didn’t consider this millage not passing. It wasn’t possible. In my mind, it wasn’t feasible,” said Frost.
Still in shock, she hasn’t been able to reach out to Sheriff Michael Main yet.
“I can’t, I can’t find the words,” said Frost.
She said she’s been thinking about the families impacted by the cuts and about the public as well.
“I worry about what happens when the citizens feel the real impact of having the loss of so many deputy positions,” said Frost.
The Sheriff’s office declined our request for an interview, but did send us this statement, that reads in part: ‘Our ability to maintain 24/7 patrol operations will likely diminish almost immediately. There may be days when no deputies are on duty, and response times will be prioritized based on urgency and resource availability’.
Michigan State Police in Mt Pleasant said safety and security are top concerns and they plan to continue to work with the sheriff’s office
County Commissioner chair Tobin Hope said he is concerned about response times, especially in more rural areas of the county.
“We have State Police, but they’re limited in staff, and they have a large area of several counties. There’s only so much they can do,” said Hope.
Michelle Thompson, an Isabella County EMT/firefighter, is part of the group ‘Backing Our Deputies-Isabella County’ that’s been supporting the sheriff’s office road patrol.
She said it’s been emotionally rough for the road patrol families.
“I’m angry, disappointed, sad and scared. I love my community, and I’ve been proud to be a resident and serve in Isabella County today. I do not feel that way. I feel like people took their anger toward the county administration out on the road patrol deputies,” said Thompson.
Thompson warned this is the wrong move.
“Crime will increase. Calls will go unanswered. Care will be delayed. People will die. All over money,” said Thompson.
Thompson said, in a last-ditch effort, they are asking every voter that voted in favor of the special millage to attend the board of commissioners meeting on November, the 19th to beg them to reconsider finding the funds but Hope said they are out of moves.
“This millage was going to fund 20 law enforcement positions. So, without it. I don’t know how to fill in those gaps,” said Hope.