Grosse Ile police brief commission on Island Fest operations, staffing shortages, forfeiture funding and school resource officer grant limits

At its June 11 meeting, the Grosse Ile Police Department reported on event operations, staffing levels, records retention work and continuing deliberations over the department’s use of drug‑forfeiture funds and possible grants to pay for school resource officers.

Chief Doug Carmack and staff told the commission that Island Fest on May 31–June 1 drew a strong turnout, that traffic flow and crowd control largely went well and that reserves and full‑time officers contributed long shifts to staff the event. Carmack singled out Sergeant Vasquez for coordinating the parade and event operations and thanked reserve officers who logged 194 hours of service in May.

Carmack also reviewed staffing: the department is down two funded patrol positions (from 24 to 22), with five employees out on leave in various categories including medical leave, workers’ compensation and FMLA. The chief said a conditional hire identified as Ames has begun background and medical screening; if all steps and the commission approval occur, Ames could finish field training and be operational possibly by late August or September.

The chief discussed drug‑forfeiture proceeds and urged caution in using those funds for ongoing salaries. He explained that seized funds typically pass through prosecutors and courts and that only a portion is distributed to participating agencies, sometimes years after seizure, so they are unpredictable for recurring costs. Carmack said a DEA task force vehicle ordered for the department was due to arrive the day after the meeting and that temporary withdrawal from DEA participation had reduced anticipated forfeiture deposits.

The department also summarized work on school resource officer (SRO) funding. Officers and trustees recounted past grant searches; federal grants often cover a share of salary for a limited period (examples discussed included grants covering 50% for three years or 75% for three years), leaving school districts and/or the department responsible for ongoing costs if the officer remains after the grant period.

Other updates included a records retention purge and onsite shredding of roughly 1,500 pounds of paper, completion of required emergency vehicle operations training by two officers, and monthly statistics for May: 600 calls for service, 857 incoming dispatch calls, 112 911 calls, 102 traffic stops, 13 citations, 65 verbal warnings, 35 security notices, and eight accidents (zero deer strikes reported). The department said 22 officer reports were filed in May, with 19 cases signed and seven remaining active.

Commissioners asked questions about budgeting and the sustainability of funding SROs with forfeiture or limited federal grants. Carmack and other staff said they continue to pursue grant options but cautioned that sustainable local funding would be required once grant eligibility lapses.