Caseville council adds temporary part‑time police hours after residents raise safety concerns

The Caseville City Council voted 6-0 on March 10 to add 24 hours per week of part-time police coverage on a temporary basis until the Police Committee has time to review the budget. The agenda amendment that added the motion to the meeting was made by Kenneth Rathje and seconded by John Tait, and the subsequent motion to add the hours was carried on a motion by Darin Sprague, seconded by Jerald Ignash.

Public comment preceding and following the vote included calls for more police presence and concern about open alcohol on a proposed trolley service. During agenda-item comment, Michael Muscat asked whether a trolley should be allowed to travel to the beach "if they were allowed to have alcohol," and James Smith said he "doesn't think alcohol on the trolley is a good idea" and thanked council for the donation to the American Legion while urging more police because of speeding through town. Later comments added that Lou Johnson observed the trolley "doesn't travel more than 5 m.p.h. when under pedal power," and Raymond Quiel voiced specific support for $30,000 for additional police coverage.

Council made the staffing decision as a temporary, budget-contingent measure and recorded the action as part of the meeting’s new-business motions. The council directed that the change remain in effect "until the Police Committee has the opportunity to review the budget," signaling a short-term operational ramp-up rather than a permanent staffing increase.

Staff and the Police Committee are expected to reconcile this temporary coverage with the department budget in an upcoming committee meeting; the transcript did not specify the timeline or source of funding for the added hours beyond the temporary authorization.