You Ask, Patch Answers: Police Chief Replies to Millage Questions

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Public safety millage questions and answers: Questions and comments have been pouring in to Royal Oak Patch since the Royal Oak City Commission unanimously voted to start the process to put a referendum on the ballot this November asking the voters for a

To answer readers' questions, Patch talked to Interim Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue in his office in downtown Royal Oak. Here’s the first in a series of Q & As with the chief.

Isn't public safety one of the reasons city government exists in the first place? Doesn't the city have an obligation to fund public safety first before any other discretionary program? 

"I would argue that public safety is the primary reason for a city government to exist," O'Donohue said. "But a city has many obligations, and currently police and fire alone cost more than the city collects in taxes.”

Residents want sewerage leaving their house and water coming in. They want trash picked up and buildings built to code. The police and fire departments fill a very important role, but so do the other city departments, O'Donohue said. 

Over the years the city has made cuts until there is no room left, he said. O'Donohue has seen his department lose nearly 40 percent of its staff. Ten years ago there were 103 sworn officers; today there are just 66 sworn officers.

While the city makes cuts, the police department continues to do what is expected of it, he said.

"People expect the same work from us," O'Donohue said. "We can't decide we are not going to do something and put residents in jeopardy, but I have to tell you - with current staffing levels - it is unsustainable."

The public safety millage will allow for the Royal Oak Police Department to increase staffing to a sustainable level.  

Exactly what improvements in service will we see? Specifically, will the police chase away all the cruisers around Woodward and Normandy who gather every Friday and Saturday night and loiter in business parking lots, roar up and down Woodward, squeal their brakes and disturb the neighborhoods or will they let this hooliganism continue?

"If the millage passes, we will be right-sized,” the chief said. "And, it will allow us to be proactive rather than reactive."

The chief compared the department's current situation to a circus performer spinning plates on a sticks, running from one spinning plate to another trying to keep everything in motion

"You can't keep that up forever. People get burned out,” O'Donohue said. “With 79 officers, I am confident we'll be able to police Royal Oak the way it should be.”

As for the Dream Cruise, O'Donohue said it's something you either love or hate.

"You have one business encouraging cruisers and its neighbors hating it," he said. "At the moment, Woodward cruisers can't be a high priority for us."

If the millage passes, O'Donohue believes he will have enough personnel to deal with the irksome effects of the car event - such as the loud motors and squealing tires.

How does a dedicated millage remain dedicated?

It's the responsibility of the city to do what it is supposed to do, O'Donohue said.

"This millage has a sunset clause. If after five years, the city hasn’t made good on its promises, voters can decide not to renew it."

Come back to Royal Oak Patch next week for more answers to your public safety questions from Chief O'Donohue.