Police department announces 75th-anniversary open house, active-shooter drill; residents raise Brighton Road safety concerns

Chief Mercedes provided informational updates to Plymouth Township Council on March 9, 2026, including community outreach and emergency-preparedness activities.

"This March marks the 75th anniversary of the police department," Chief Mercedes said, and the department is preparing an open house on Sunday, May 17 to mark police week. She also said the Citizens Police Academy begins this Thursday and has a few openings; the academy runs weekly and covers topics such as investigations, traffic safety and emergency management.

The chief said the department will hold a police test on Saturday, May 16 at Colonial Middle School to recruit replacement officers and is planning a large-scale active-shooter drill on Saturday, May 2 at Colonial Middle School that will include surrounding townships, fire services and medics to improve coordination. She said the department will notify surrounding neighborhoods in advance so residents are not alarmed.

During public comment, Marlene Hoffman, identifying herself as a Plymouth resident, asked about police vehicles seen repeatedly parked on Brighton Road and whether that visibility was privately funded. Hoffman asked whether residents could obtain a list of people coming and going from a nearby rental property because of safety concerns.

Chief Mercedes responded that increased drive-through patrols were instituted at the residents' request and said, "There has not been a problem there that we're aware of and we're not there because there's a problem." She offered to follow up on why lights were reportedly flashing in a driveway and to discuss the specific patrol approach after the meeting. On the question of tenant lists, township staff explained that while rental registration information exists in township files for administrative purposes, the township does not release private resident lists under Right-to-Know law and cannot compel an owner to disclose tenant movements to neighbors.

The chief said the township does sometimes include adult volunteers and school staff in drills to increase realism, but she will circulate protocol and participation opportunities if citizens can be included.

The council did not take action on these items during the meeting but asked staff to follow up with additional information for residents who requested it.