Q: How often are the police called?

2008 – Calls for Service: 10,334
2008 – Police Reports: 2,558

Q: Who currently patrols over 110 miles of roadway in Springfield Township? At what cost?

The Township paid about $480,000 last year to the Lucas County Sheriff’s Dept., which guarantees just one police officer per shift to cover the entire township (until called away for mutual aid).
They typically provide 1-2 extra officers per shift, but it’s not always guaranteed (but doesn’t cost extra). The Sheriff’s Dept. serves all unincorporated areas; therefore, officer(s) leave Springfield Township to respond to other jurisdictions when called upon.

Q: Since we pay County Taxes, why isn’t the Sheriff's Dept. obligated to patrol our streets?

According to the Ohio Revised Code they’re obligated to “Keep the Peace.” The Sheriff's Dept. doesn’t believe that it mandates them to patrol or provide detective services. They interpret it as: ‘they must respond to 911 calls if an immediate threat still exists.”

Q: After Jan. 1, 2010, how will police protection be paid for?

In lieu of not having any police protection, the Board of Trustees chose to put a 4.5 mill Levy on the Nov. 3 ballot, which would raise $2,500,000 for police services. (4.5 mills DOES NOT EQUAL $4.5 million dollars!)

Q: If the Levy passes, how much tax will a resident have to pay each year?
A property valued at $100,000 is estimated to cost about $137 Yr. or about $12 a month. (only 35% of property value is assessed)
Below here was added September 29, 2009

Q: How does this levy tax rate compare to other communities?

Sylvania Township – Population 25,583 – Police Budget 7.86 million
Springfield Township – Population 24,123 – Proposed Police Budget 3.0 million (maximum)

Q: What is the organization behind the levy?

“Keep Springfield Safe” is a group of concerned citizens who have a love for the Holland/Springfield community and want to keep it a safe for our families and businesses.

Q: How long will this levy be in place?

This is a three year levy which can only be renewed with another vote by the people.

Q: Why do we need a levy for police services? Can't the trustees just adjust the budget?

The amount needed to provide police services to the community either with the Sheriff or Holland Police would take about half of our current budget. We cannot afford to reduce the other services in the Township to make up the difference.

Q: What are the other townships who are currently serviced by the Sheriff, planning to do?

There are six other townships that find themselves in this situation, five of them are planning to go without coverage, and the other is looking to contract with a neighboring community.

Q: Did the Trustees consider looking to Sylvania for contracting police services?

Yes, but the cost and distance issues would be too great to overcome. Sylvania Township police cover to the Michigan border and there would be too long of a response time to the southern portions of Springfield Township.

Q: If the levy doesn't pass what will happen to the Sheriff's substation that is currently located in the township?

It will be available to the Holland Police or some department within Springfield Township.

Q: Isn’t having Holland Police force just a way to get us one step closer to annexation?

Annexation is not on the table nor is it a reason for this situation. We have been put in this predicament by Lucas County. Springfield Township approached Holland and asked what it would cost to provide police protection for the Township. They aren’t obligated to do this for us but are willing to pool resources with the Township in order to provide better service for the residents of the Village and the Township.

Q: I heard that if we go with Holland they will have to hire 17 rookie police officers to patrol Springfield.

Holland Mayor Mike Yunker has 36 years of law enforcement experience and is leading the procedure to assure we have quality police officers providing protection to our Township. Holland initiated an application processes in early September and already have over 80 applications. There are many current full time police officers from other agencies, as well as veteran officers who have applied to work for the potential expansion of the Holland Police Division. You will see experienced officers in all areas of the Department.

Q: I don’t understand what the ballot language means.

The ballot language by law is based on the Ohio Revised Code. Look elsewhere on this site for an explanation of what the legalese really means.

Q: Was there any discussion with the Sheriff regarding reduced services from their department for a reduced fee.

The current level of two deputies that are usually in the Township is already inadequate so any reduction would put the residents at greater risk. The Sheriff has talked about a different pricing structure but it would mean less deputies and the township has no control on any increases.

Q: What will happen to the DARE program at Springfield Schools if we go with the Holland Police. According to Sheriff Telb, DARE will still be provided by the Sheriff’s department.

 DARE is a grant-funded program, and Springfield Schools pays for this officer. Springfield Schools would have the option of having the Sheriff or Holland provide this service.

Q: I live in Holland, will I get less police protection if Holland police now has to patrol Springfield?

No, you will still receive your same number of officers, plus there will be Officers dedicated to the Township which allows them to be in the vicinity of Holland should a major event occur.

Q: Why is this going on as a property tax and not a sales or income tax?
Township trustees can only raise funds through property taxes

Q: Why can’t I vote on which police service we get?

We encourage you to contact your Township Trustees to voice your opinion as to whom you prefer because your opinion does make a difference.
The Lucas County Commissioners decided to charge each Township in Lucas County, which receives service from the Sheriff’s Department, for Police Services based on population. The Sheriff has determined that the cost to Springfield Township would be approximately 2.4 million per year in addition to the approximately $500,000 currently being paid..
The sheriff's proposal would be phased in over three years.

• 2010 - 2.5 million
• 2011 - 2.9 million
• 2012 - 3.4 million

Q: What happens if we don’t pay the fees required by the County Commissioners?

According to their official response there would be no police patrols in the Township or investigative follow-up on criminal incidents. Sheriff’s Deputies would respond to 9-1-1 calls from downtown. The Fire Department would have to wait for Deputies for any situation requiring securing a dangerous scene (such as domestic violence with injuries) prior to them being able to render aid.

Q: What options do we have as a Township?

• pay the fee required by the Commissioners and receive the current level of service by the Sheriff’s
  Department
• refuse to pay the fee required by the Commissioners and live with substantially reduced service by the Sheriff’s Department
• contract with Holland Police Department to provide Police Services for Springfield Township.

Cost for the Holland Police service:

• 2010 - 1.7 million
• 2011 - 2.1 million

Q: What’s the difference in the level of service between the Sheriff’s Dept. and Holland Police?

• What’s the difference in the level of service between the Sheriff’s Dept. and Holland Police?
  The Sheriff will have two deputies on duty in Springfield Township. However if they are needed in one of the other townships they will leave our township. The detective bureau is also shared with all the other townships not covered by their own police department. Another concern of the Township: if Springfield Township is the only township paying the Sheriff for protection, will he use our deputies to respond to 911 calls in those townships not paying?
• Holland already has a new police station with new technology and updated equipment, and experienced well trained officers. Holland Police will provide three patrol officers and a command officer on each shift in the township in addition to two officers patrolling Holland. In addition we will have a detective bureau with crime scene investigators and evidence technicians strictly for the Holland/Springfield community. We will also have bike patrol, selective enforcement for problem areas, community affairs officer, and a local office to communicate with, and receive records from. It will be the closest thing to having our own police department.

Q: What will the Police Services levy cost?

• If the market value on your home as listed on your tax bill is $100,000 it will cost $137 per year if have rollbacks.
• This will raise approx. 2.5 million dollars for Police Services