NEWS RELEASES

OFFICERS with the Gerrish Township Police Department arrested Brian Laroy Williams (48) of Saint Helen, Mi. and recovered property from his residence believed to be stolen while continuing to investigate a 2006 case. OFFICERS had received a larceny of (2) Personal Watercraft and a trailer back in the fall of 2006 from a residence in Gerrish Township. In the spring of 2007, one of stolen personal watercraft from this report was located in a wooded area of Richfield Township. The Sea-Doo Bombardier Watercraft had been stripped leaving only the fiberglass hull out in the woods. The hull was sent to the Michigan State Police Laboratory in Grayling in an attempt to preserve and collect any possible evidence that would lead OFFICERS to a suspect in this case. OFFICERS received information back from the Crime Lab which led them to the arrest of Williams. On April 10^th, 2008 officers from Gerrish Township Police Department were assisted by Officers from Richfield Township Police, Roscommon County Sheriff’s Department, and the Michigan State Police in serving a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Saint Helen. Officers recovered a large amount of parts and accessories from snowmobiles, personal watercraft, as well as two trailers. Officers are continuing to investigate in an attempt to identify ownership of all the seized property. If you have any further information regarding this case please contact the Gerrish Township Police Department at (989)-821-5207.

(OFFICER SCHUTTE OF GTPD TAKES A SHOT IN THE WINTER FESTIVAL BROOMBALL 2008 TOURNAMENT)

On Saturday, Feb 23rd, a group of Gerrish Township Emergency Services personnel, along with family members, participated in the 3rd Annual Higgins Lake Winterfest Broomball competition on the frozen waters of Higgins Lake at the North State Park. Officer Burmester coordinated the Township effort and the team consisted of members representing the Gerrish Township Police Department and the Gerrish Township Fire/EMS Department including some young Explorer members.

The teams in the tournament other than Gerrish Township were Roscommon County Sheriff Dept with the Higgins Township Fire Dept. members, the Roscommon Rotary team and a Project graduation team. Proceeds from the tournament go to the Roscommon High School Project Graduation program which is a program that transports and sponsors the graduating Seniors where same are bussed to a secret location where they spend the night in a safe and fun environment. There are activities planned for the entire night and it is a way for the Seniors to attend one last function together before they venture out into the world.

The tournament was won by a somewhat "Stacked" Roscommon Rotary team, with Gerrish Township coming in second. We all plan to be back to to compete for the bragging rights all year next year. Hats off and kudos to the Rotary and a big thank you to all for supporting our graduating Seniors.

On Saturday, 2-16-08 the Gerrish Township Emergency Services conducted their Second Annual Township Disaster exercise. The exercise is designed to have all parties function within the Incident Command System or ICS. It further allows the area disciplines to identify their strengths and weaknesses and improve on each throughout the year. This year the incident partners included Gerrish Township Police, Gerrish Township Fire/EMS, Gerrish Township CERT Team, Gerrish Township Fire Explorers partnered with Roscommon County Central Dispatch, Roscommon County Emergency Manager, Roscommon County Road Commission Manager, Roscommon County Special Emergency Response team and members of the Gerrish Higgins School District. The mock incident took place at the Gerrish Township Hall and Fire Hall area. The exercise was a table top exercise and ran from 0830 hrs to 1230 hrs.

This years mock scenario focused on a Winter Storm Warning typical to Northern Michigan. The prime activity centered on a reported Personal Injury Motor vehicle accident at Co Rd 100 and the Natural gas mini station across from the GHSD bus garage and diagonally adjacent to the Elementary school. The accident had a Tanker truck with hazardous material on board striking the natural gas mini station.

This gave all agencies an opportunity to exercise decision making judgment as it related to their discipline. As the event unrolled, the winter storm created more issues as it progressed due to any type of water hitting the hazardous material causing a vapor plume that put population centers in jeopardy. The scenario was fast moving and further complicated by other accidents being reported in other areas of the Township due to down power lines, slippery roads and other ambulance calls. Below are some photos of the participants at work.

Above shows scenario coordination in progress Above shows CERT Team strategy is underway

Roscommon County Haz Mat representatives at work Evacuations Plans underway, resources discussed

Above shows a Unified Incident Command at work Gerrish Higgins Schools deliberate early on

GERRISH TOWNSHIP EMERGENCY SERVICES WISH TO THANK ALL OF IT'S PARTNERS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE MOCK DISASTER 2008.

Officers are requesting assistance from the public in investigating several Malicious Destruction of Property complaints. The incidents involve several residences that were hit by paint balls sometime between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. on 2-3-08. The houses were in the GAP 2 area of the Township off Sumac Ave, Woodlawn Ave. Kenwood Ave, and Illinois Ave on the East side of Higgins Lake. The Department has no suspects at this time, however investigating Officers suspect that the damage was done while driving by in a vehicle or snowmobile. Anyone with information is requested to contact Officer Erin Kelly at ekelley@gerrishtownship.org or 989-821-5207 ext. 289.

The Gerrish Township Police Department showed off its new six-wheel drive Polaris off-road vehicle Tuesday. The department obtained the vehicle through a grant from the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company. Pictured are (front row, left to right): UST Sales representative Shannon Olstrom, UST Division Manager Joe Syring, Gerrish Township Police Chief Brian Hill, Treasurer Rebecca Ragan, Clerk Norma Lee Boyle, Supervisor Greg Gaylor, ACT-NOW Treasurer and CERT member Bob Barber, ACT-NOW Chair and CERT member Mary Link, CERT member Stephanie Bohnsack and Paramedic and firefighter Kathy Pardo-Carlson; (second row): CERT member Ed Bohnsack, Officer Josh Burmester, Officer Eric Muszynski, Officer Pam McKenna, Officer Jonah Schutte, CERT member Don Granzine, Tom Gross of the fire department and EMS service and Fire Chief John Patchin and (in back): Assistant Fire Chief Jim Lippert, police Officer Erin Kelley and Sgt. Greg Patchin. Photo by Cheryl Holladay, Houghton Lake Resorter.

In the fall last year, Chief Hill applied for a National grant through the US Smokeless Tobacco Company for a 6x6 Polaris ORV for the purpose of assisting Police, Fire and EMS. The Company outright donates the ORV and donates approximately 70 units a year throughout the nation. To date, we are one of the two agencies in the Michigan that has been selected.

In the spring of 2007, I was notified that our Department had been successful and was scheduled to take delivery of the unit in the summer. In September 2007, we received the unit and we have since equipped the unit for use cooperatively with all Departments within the County.

On December 11, 2007 @ 2:00 p.m. our Community celebrated our good fortune with US Smokeless Tobacco Company representatives Division Manager Joe Syring and UST Sales representative Shannon Olstrom. At that time we learned that our Department was one of 70 chosen to receive the award from over 2000 applications throughout the United States.

Click the link below the US Smokeless Tobacco Operation Ranger site and if you click on the 2007 recipients and scroll to Michigan, you will find us.

http://www.ustinc.com/corp_giving/operation.asp

Click on photo above for more......

Silent Auction Celebration Dinner on 11-19-07. This years dinner venue was moved from

the Gerrish Township Hall to the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church of the North on

Our community once again did not disappoint, as over 150 people attended the event

Many auction items were donated by the following businesses and purchased by the

citizens of this community. Please patronize these committed community businesses;

again running CERT Training classes beginning Wednesday Jan. 9, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.

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Officers with the Gerrish Township Police Department have been investigating several residential breaking and entering complaints that occurred on the West Side of Higgins Lake in Gerrish Township, Roscommon County. The reports and investigations started in the first part of September 2007. Through investigation, officers have identified four local Roscommon subjects who have been involved in these crimes. Four separate residences have been identified as being entered multiple times. Officers have obtained Felony warrants for all subjects involved to include the following:

1 - Felony warrant – Count 1 - AID & ABET Home Invasion – 2^nd degree for one local adult female subject

5 - Felony warrants – Count 1 –Home Invasion 2^nd degree for one local adult male subject

3 – Felony warrants – Count 1 – Home Invasion 2^nd degree for one local adult male subject

3 – Felony Juvenile Petitions – Count 1 – Home Invasion 2^nd degree for one local juvenile subject

During officers investigation they have been able to recover approximately 80 % of the stolen property and are continuing to investigate.

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available to the public regarding Community Preparedness for incidents ranging from

Pandemic flu to natural weather disasters. Below are some pictures for all to see

tournament with a combined team from the Gerrish Township Police, Fire/EMS and ACT-NOW,

Markey Township Fire/EMS team, Markey Township Baptist Church Red team and of course the

celebrity TV 9&10 News team. The tournament began at 9:00 a.m. and continued until approx. 6:00 p.m.

where the combined Roscommon County Sheriff Dept and Higgins Township Fire Dept. team

took home the trophy in a very close championship game that had them edging out the

Markey Baptist Red team 4-3 for the bragging rights and the traveling trophy in 2007. All

Congratulations and thank you to all for participating. The tournament netted nearly $500.00

The annual ACT-NOW meeting was held at the Gerrish Township Hall Gazebo picnic area.

The event was well attended as usual and the weather cooperated this year. The annual election of

Officers for the executive board were conducted and the new Officers for 2007-2008 are

and plaques from the Police Department recognizing their service to our great Community.

to a very generous community, over $1650.00 was raised for the Shop with a Cop program and

the various other activities that the group supports within the Community. The Police Department recognizes

the dedication of the ACT-NOW group and the hard work that it puts in throughout the year.

A special thanks to the Garage Sale activity Chair Ginny Trombley and her group of volunteers.

The Gerrish Township Police Department announces the retirement of Officer Ron Herzberg on 6-15-07.

It is with mixed emotions that we bid Ron farewell from our team and off into his retirement. Ron was

a very valuable asset to the Department and he will be sorely missed by all. Ron served this Community with

dedication and a style that was all his own for nearly 20 years. Ron's diverse experience across his Police career

helped mold many Officers that he came in contact with. Ron's commitment to Law Enforcement started almost

41 years ago with the Saginaw City Police Department where he was a highly decorated Officer over his career.

He retired from the City in 1987 and came to our Community and was hired here where he

served another 20 years in Law Enforcement becoming a highly decorated Officer in this Department as well.

at the Roscommon High School. In conjunction with S.A.D.D. for Prom week activities,

the Department brought in two simulators for demonstration purposes. The "Seat belt convincer" is a

Student braces for the impact! Officer Muszynski rolls crash dummy "Earl" out of the truck!

The Gerrish Township Police, Fire and EMS participated in the 2007 Higgins Lake Winter Fest by playing in a few friendly games of Broomball with the Roscommon Rotary, Project Graduation parents and the Roscommon County Sheriff Dept./Higgins Twp Fire Dept. to benefit the 2007 Project Graduation Program for graduating Seniors of the Roscommon High School. The Program provides for a safe overnight place for the Seniors to celebrate their graduation accomplishments. The overnight party provides gifts games and SAFE fun for the graduating Seniors. For more on the Project Graduation click here.

Our hats are off to the Roscommon County Sheriff Dept/Higgins Twp Fire Dept combination team for winning the mini tournament by defeating our Police and Fire Department in overtime in the final game.

On Monday night 1-8-07 Gerrish Township Board Meeting meeting, the Department recognized OFFICERS KELLEY and MCKENNA for their efforts in Community Service for 2006. ( See above)

OFFICER KELLEY was awarded a Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Community Service Award certificate for her Outstanding Performance in Community Service to include her tireless efforts in support of ACT-NOW and its functions such as Shop with a Cop, benefit TV 9 & 10 Celebrity Softball game, organization of simulators for the ACT-NOW Picnic and annual meeting etc. Erin has served the Department for two years as the GAP representative liaison with ACT-NOW. Additionally, the ACT-NOW group awarded Erin an Outstanding Community Service Plaque which in the past has gone to the Officer that has gone above and beyond just serving as the liaison to the group. The award has not been bestowed on any Officer since 2002. Erin has given countless hours of her own time in support of the Department’s Community service mission. Erin has showed that she lives our vision statement. Erin was also awarded a blue and white ribbon bar to be worn on her uniform as a reminder to herself and all that she is committed to our vision and her own excellence to Community Service. Great job, Erin!!

Additionally, Officer Mckenna was awarded a Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Community Service Award certificate for her vision and dedication to achieving her Community Service goal. We admire Pam’s commitment to herself and the Department in achieving her goal of bringing some Community project that she could call her own to Gerrish Township. Pam worked exceptionally hard on duty as well as off duty and committed many hours of her own time to achieve the goal she set for herself. The Project Blue Light Pam organized was Pam’s own thought and she worked tirelessly to bring a quality, meaningful service to this Community. She has started what we hope will be an annual project for her. What a great start Pam. Pam has wanted to accomplish a Community Service Project as a goal for herself for some time now. We appreciate her perseverance! Pam was also awarded a blue and white ribbon bar to be worn on her uniform as a reminder to herself and all that she is committed to our vision and her own excellence to Community Service. Great job, Pam!!

As you see them, please congratulate them. These awards represent a heart felt congratulations to their commitment to our Department’s Vision statement. “Community with Police…Caring and Sharing together”.

This evening, the Gerrish Township Police and MI-COPS (Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors)

collaborated together to honor Fallen Officers and Firefighters. The ceremony took place at the Police

Department and was well attended by area Departments and citizens. Highlights of the ceremony included a

The following people and businesses are directly responsible for the ceremony and our many

You may have noticed that recently we changed our phone systems at the Police Department and Township wide. We are currently working through the change. For your emergent police needs you should always dial 911 immediately. They know where we are all the time and it is likely that you will get a Gerrish Township Police unit as a result of that call anyways. 911 is operated on the principle that they send the closest police unit available to your emergency to serve you best. If your need is non-emergent and you want the closest police unit available, you will need to dial 989-275-0911 and the closest police unit available will be assigned to your need and again most likely one of our units. To reach our officers for any of your other needs, the following is a complete list of Officers and extensions.

After a lengthy investigation regarding a home that had been broken into in Gerrish Township on two separate occasions this past September, the Gerrish Township Police have arrested two adult males from Roscommon County. During the separate break ins, several rifles, shotguns and hand guns were taken.

The two suspects are currently being held at the Roscommon County Jail on Home Invasion charges and await arraignment on the charges. A third suspect is being sought at this time and an arrest is expected shortly on that individual.

Project Blue Light is a program that is associated with the Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors.

During the ceremony, we will light a Christmas tree with blue lights and candles to

On 8-25-06 at 1402 hrs, Officers from the Gerrish Township Police Department were dispatched to a possible pipe bomb that was located by a subject who was walking his dog. The suspected pipe bomb was located in a gravel pit off of West Pine Drive in Gerrish Township, Roscommon County. Upon investigation, Officers found a 6" long PVC pipe that was capped at both ends and same appeared to have a wick at one end. Officer's contacted the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad and requested their assistance with handling and neutralizing the possible explosive. The Michigan State Police Bomb Squad arrived and determined that same was a Pipe bomb. The bomb squad was able to use their robot to detonate the explosive without incident. Pieces of the pipe bomb were transported to the Michigan State Police Crime lab in Grayling, Mi. for further analysis. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call 989-821-5207.

On July 29, 2006 the Gerrish Township Police Department along with ACT-NOW sponsored a Shop With A Cop fundraiser softball tournament which took place at Metro Park in Roscommon. The first game started at 10:00 am between the Richfield Township All-Stars (Police, Fire, and EMS) and the Higgins Township All-Stars (Sheriff's Department, Fire, and EMS). The talents on the combination team of the Higgins Township All-Stars along with the Rosc. County Sheriff's Department All-Stars proved to be too powerful for the Richfield Township All-Stars to overcome. The Richfield Twp. All-Stars lost their game by quite a few runs but were winners in our eyes as they made a very nice monetary donation to the Fundraiser. The 11:30 am game was between the TV 9&10 News All-Stars and the Gerrish Township All-Stars (Police, ACT-NOW, Fire, and EMS). The local good guys beat the 9&10 All-Stars with a final score of 18-4. By this time the temperatures were soaring, the concession stand was booming and everyone (including) the players were having a great time. The championship game was played at 1:00 pm between the Higgins Twp./Sheriff Dept. All-Stars and the Gerrish Twp. All-Stars. This was a great game as well and ended with Gerrish Township taking home the trophy with a score of 12-4.

A.C.T. N.O.W. and the Gerrish Township Police Department would like to THANK ALL THE PLAYERS, THE TV 9&10 ALL-STARS, AND THE MANY VOLUNTEERS AND FANS THAT DONATED TO THIS FUNDRAISER WITH A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOING OUT TO OFFICER ERIN KELLEY FOR ALL HER TIME AND EFFORT FOR ORGANIZING THIS EVENT. THE ACTUAL FIGURE FOR MONEY RAISED HAS NOT COME IN TO OUR OFFICE YET, HOWEVER THIS FIRST TIME FUNDRAISING EVENT PROVED TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS!

The 2006 ACT-NOW Annual Picnic and Business meeting was held on 7-17-06 at 6:00 p.m. at the Gerrish Township Hall.

The event was highlighted this year by a well timed appearance of Mother Nature on the Horizon. Although the gathering was initially interrupted by violent thunderstorms, the gathering was a great success. Due to the storms, the Picnic, meeting and demonstration was moved into the Township Hall and the Gerrish Township Fire Hall.

This next year promises to be another good year as all of the same board member positions and GAP representatives will remain the same. The Police Department thanks all of the volunteers and applaud the work that they do for the Community.

The "Citizen of the Year" award was presented to Don Granzine for all of his work an time that he dedicates to both ACT-NOW and our C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) group. If you see Don, give him a BIG THANK YOU for all he does. We consider him a great partner in our Community.

Sgt. Brian Hill presents the 2006 "Citizen of the Year" Certificate to Don Granzine.

In foreground, Eric Simon from the Roscommon Neighbors enjoying their time together................

The Annual ACT-NOW Garage Sale Fundraiser for the "Shop with a Cop" program took place on July 7th and 8th 2006 at the Gerrish Township Police Department. The event was a success with more than $1200.00 raised for this years program. Below are some photos of the event. The Gerrish Township Police would like to thank all those volunteers that made the sale possible.

Looking for buried treasures.......... Volunteer Bob takes a much deserved break!

In an effort to save lives and increase the State's safety belt use rate to 95 percent, the Gerrish Township Police Department is buckling down on safety belt laws this month. The Gerrish Township Police Department warns residents to buckle up or be prepared to pay up as they crack down on unbuckled motorists throughout the Memorial Day holiday.

The Gerrish Township Police Department is joining more than 500 Michigan law enforcement agencies focusing on unbuckled motorists as a part of the National Click it or Ticket mobilization, May 22-June 4, 2006. Michigan's safety belt use rate currently stands at a record high 93 percent, but in order to save even more lives, agencies will be strictly enforcing the law in an effort to get more motorists to buckle up. According to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, for every 1 percent increase in safety belt use, 10 lives are saved.

The State's mandatory safety belt law requires the driver and front seat passengers to be buckled up, and children under age 4 to be in an approved child safety seat. It also requires passengers ages 15 and under to be buckled up in the front or rear seating positions. In addition, drivers or passengers who have shoulder harness placed under their arm or behind their back can be ticketed for not properly buckling up.

It has come to our attention recently that citizens have attempted to call us and nobody was in the office and they then felt that they "did not want to bother us" and leave a message. It is important to note that we usually carry administrative hours at the office from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day during the week. During the evening and night time hours our Officers are on the road and the office is not staffed. Many evenings, it may be at the end of the shift before the Officers are able to get back to the office to check the answering machine.

Because we are not in the office does not mean that we are not available, especially when the situation you want to discuss with us may not be an emergency. The Roscommon County Central Dispatch maintains a non-emergent telephone number just for those situations. It is maintained by the same people who answer the 911 Emergent call on the dedicated 911 line.

The number to call for non emergent situations is 989-275-0911. Again, you can talk directly to the same professionals who answer all your emergent calls. If we are working, they have direct radio contact with our units and bring you into contact with them.

We ask that you do not put your call off as we want you to call when you see or hear something that is not normal for your neighborhood and you feel that it is not an emergency. Too often we get calls the following morning and respond to find out there was a legitimate complaint for us to respond to, but now much time has passed and we are at a real disadvantage in trying to bring the issue to a successful conclusion. Please use the Central Dispatch non-emergent phone @ 989-275-0911 for those non- emergent situations where you want to reach your GAP Officers or Township Police Dept. and we are not in the office.