Raisin Township police to begin patrolling 24/7

The Raisin Township Board of Trustees voted Monday to hire a fifth police officer allowing the Raisin Township Police Department to begin 24/7 patrolling. In a 6-0 vote, with trustee Kami Johnson absent from the meeting, the board approved hiring Robert VanSinger as the township’s fifth officer. Van-Singer is currently a part-time officer in Morenci and has experience as a firefighter and EMT along with 14 years of law enforcement experience. “Last weekend kind of reinforced my thoughts on this,” said Raisin Township Police Kevin Grayer. “We had a stabbing here in Lee Villa on Saturday morning… prior to our officers coming on, so Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department ended up handling the original [call] with us assisting. I wish we were handling and the county was supporting us.”With the new hire, Grayer will work 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. working administration and on road patrol. Two officers will work 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. while the other two work 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. “It’s one of the thing I just feel that we’re in a position now as a township to be able to go to that 24/7 [coverage],” said Grayer. “I think it will help greatly. Having that 24/7, we’re actually able to cover our township when residents come to us.” The addition of a fifth officer was budgeted for 2015, according to Raisin Township Supt. Jim Palmer. Raisin Township Supervisor Jay Cavanaugh made a motion approving of the police department’s staff of up to five officers. “When we started the department back in the early 2000s, the dream was to accomplish what we’re accomplishing right now,” said trustee Larry Crittenden. “And as a former supervisor and trustee, I’m really, really happy that we have moved, finally, to complete 24/7 coverage. Thank you Chief Grayer for moving us in that direction.” “I appreciate the board for letting me go ahead and attempt this,” said Grayer. “The department is moving in the right direction and I just want for that to continue.” The board unanimously approved Monday a lease agreement for the township police department. The new lease is a cost savings, costing the department $357.29 a month compared to the $401.73 previously paid. The board also: • Tabled discussing Lenawee County Road Commission estimates for 2015 road projects until a special meeting on Monday, May 18, at 2 p.m. • Made the final approval for the proposed subdivision at the corner of Sutton Road and Green Highway• Approved Artonic to update the township’s website at a cost of $1,200 • Approved tasking Palmer and the township’s budget committee to collect information on new signage by the July regular board meeting