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Resident cites repeated loud‑exhaust complaints and urges sheriff’s office policy change
Summary
Steve Willard told commissioners he filed FOIA requests showing 20 sheriff’s dispatches over months about a single vehicle with modified exhaust but no citations; he asked the board to direct the sheriff’s office to adopt a repeat‑complaint escalation protocol and follow‑up procedures.
Steve Willard of Holland Charter Township used the public comment period to present records he said document a months‑long pattern of noise and enforcement complaints regarding a single vehicle. Willard said he obtained dispatch records through FOIA and counted 20 dispatches from September 2025 through March 2026 for the same address, often noting the same time each morning.
"I filed a 4 FOIA request... 14 calls, 0 citations," Willard said, and urged the board to address what he called a policy gap for predictable, repeat violations. Willard asked the board to direct the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office to adopt (1) a repeat‑complaint protocol that escalates when the same address and violation is reported multiple times; (2) a follow‑up pathway after a verbal warning to ensure warnings do not substitute for enforcement; and (3) a prioritization change so confirmed predictable daily violations are not deprioritized indefinitely.
A deputy later located and resolved the immediate problem, and Willard said he will provide his documentation to the board and continue follow-up. Several commissioners acknowledged the complaint and suggested staff follow up with the sheriff’s office on policy options.
