Local law enforcement to increase their security
Mount Pleasant-area police departments excluding the Tribal Police will step up their security for the 2002 Homecoming Weekend.
CMU Police will remain as visible at homecoming as any other game, said Lt. Ron Griffiths, CMU Police assistant director.
But, he said, every officer on the force will either work the game or patrol.
“We are just trying to do the best job we can with our limited staffing — we really don’t have enough people to staff an event like this, which is why we ask for assistance from the other departments,” he said.
Griffiths said the Michigan State Police, the Mount Pleasant Police Department and Isabella County Sheriff’s Department have been helpful. He said he feels the biggest concerns of the weekend will be alcohol and traffic problems.
“I don’t believe we experience any higher crime, but we naturally have a lot more alcohol-related tickets issued,” Griffiths said.
The Isabella County Sheriff’s Department will add officers.
“Basically, we are going to put on added patrols, check out apartment complexes for parties and make sure things are peaceful,” said Isabella County Sheriff Barry DeLau.
The Michigan State Police will not do anything out of the ordinary for the weekend festivities.
“We will bring officers in for traffic and tailgate control, but we won’t use any extra people,” said Michigan State Police Sgt. Tony Harrington.
A Mount Pleasant Police Department representative was not available for comment.
