COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – More than two years after Branch County budget cuts gutted the Sheriff’s Department road patrols, Sheriff John Pollack says property checks by deputies remain nearly non-existent. According to Pollack, in March of 2012, they checked out 281 properties but last month, there were only 3 checks. It’s an example of what was happening on the overnight shifts when deputies weren’t busy with other kinds of complaints or calls for service, there were trying to make sure that businesses and homes throughout the county were secure.
The Sheriff is reminding local police departments around the county that his office is available for call in. Pollack said there were a couple of incidents last month when deputies could have been notified to lend assistance but the Sheriff’s Department wasn’t summoned. He said his department still has an overtime budget that has been approved by County Commissioners so if other police agencies are tied up with a long term issue, the county could provide backup in the local jurisdiction until the matter is resolved.
