Commission discusses school bus safety, cameras and SRO funding options

Commissioners at the Oct. 21 Grosse Ile Police Commission meeting discussed school‑bus safety measures, including bus‑mounted cameras, and reviewed obstacles to establishing a School Resource Officer (SRO) funded jointly with the school district.

An unnamed commissioner said social media had highlighted at least two bus‑related incidents and suggested exploring equipment that records vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. The commissioner compared the concept to automated enforcement cameras — but said they were not advocating immediate adoption and voiced concerns about staffing constraints.

Deputy Chief Rosak and other department staff told the commission that officers try to monitor bus stops when staffing allows and that some school buses already have internal cameras that could be reoriented to capture stop‑arm violations. The department said staffing levels — they reported 16 sworn officers and 23 total employees — limit routine dedicated bus enforcement and that following buses or assigning detectives has been done selectively when resources permitted.

Trustee Mark Mills, speaking during the meeting, said any cost for bus cameras should not fall on the police department and suggested the schools or transportation department consider funding the equipment. "I don't think it should be put upon our police department budget at all," Mills said.

Commissioners also revisited efforts to secure an SRO. Presenters recounted earlier attempts to use a three‑year federal grant; the commission said that grant restricted officers to individual schools and that after the grant period the district would have to fund the position. Officials also reported a change in federal guidance on forfeiture funds that, as of March 31, 2024, has limited the use of seized asset funds to pay for replacement officers or SROs in most cases. The department said only a small number of agencies nationwide were being approved for replacement officers under the revised rules and that the township would explore alternative budget adjustments in the coming budget cycle.

Officials urged parents to raise SRO requests directly with the school superintendent and school board if they want a dedicated officer; commissioners said the typical local funding structure places the bulk of the SRO cost on the school district during the school year.

No formal policy change or funding commitment was made at the meeting; the discussion was exploratory and intended to clarify options and constraints for school officials and parents.