State Police Provide Alcohol Enforcement in Ongoing Partnership with Brighton Township

It's officially the holiday season, and for Brighton Township residents, that means more than just shopping and parties - it means extra police on the roads.

For about seven years, the township has benefited from extra funding that allows them to have additional alcohol enforcement thanks to an agreement with the Michigan State Police Brighton Post.

The agreements run October through March and April through September.

While the goal is to curb the number of drunk driving incidents, those types of stops haven't been the primary ones during the months the agreements last.

According to Michigan State Police Brighton Post Commander Joel Allen, from October 2010 to March 2011, there were no drunk driving stops or arrests made in the 55 hours of additional alcohol enforcement patrols the post provided.

However, there were 147 traffic stops, 22 tickets given, 104 verbal warnings, 16 motorist assists, one minor-in-possession of alcohol and one drug arrest.

"There's a need to try to limit the number of intoxicated drivers, but it also includes the work to make sure liquor is not being sold to underage minors in establishments, drug stores, etcetera," Ann Bollin, township clerk said. "It's not just driving enforcement."

Allen said that within each time period, he schedules additional two, four or six hour alcohol enforcement shifts - depending on manpower and other obligations.

"Unless there was an emergency where another trooper needed back-up or someone's life was in jeopardy, that trooper won't be available for calls other than alcohol enforcement," Allen said.

The Brighton Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved the current agreement with the Michigan State Police Brighton Post back in September. The agreement began Oct. 1 and will last until March 31, 2012 and will not exceed $6,000.

"It's a good initiative," Allen said. "Anytime you can get more patrol cars being visible and allowing troopers to focus solely on those related activities that can be dangerous to motorists is positive."