Shepherd Police Department

251 West Wright Avenue P.O. Box 562 Shepherd, MI 48883

Telephone: 989-828-5045 Fax: 989-828-7017

May 1, 2017

President Mike Degraw

Law Enforcement Sub Committee
Village of Shepherd Council
Maple Syrup Festival Committee

This document is an overview of activities throughout the Maple Syrup Festival (MSF) Event for 2017. It will
also address areas of in need of attention and pre-planning for the 2018 event.

Maple Syrup Festival Pre-Planning

Planning for this event began in the fall of 2016. I met prior to the Festival with numerous people and agencies
to help the flow of the weekend go smooth. They included:
Isabella County Law Enforcement Chiefs
Steve Davidson, DPW Director and Representative of Ales for Trails
Rob Jerman, Isabella County Central Dispatch Deputy Director
Isabella County Citizens Emergency Response Team
Maple Syrup Festival Committee (March and April Meetings), along with individual members
Owosso Railroad Company 1
Matt McDonagh, Big Rock Amusements
Maple Syrup Festival Pre-Planning

The 2017 Maple Syrup Festival officially started Thursday, April 27 th, 2017 and continued through its
conclusion on Sunday, April 30th. However, the entire week saw an increase in traffic and numerous yard sales
beginning on Monday, April 24, 2017.

The official start times were 9:00AM in the morning until 11PM on most nights, except for Sunday. Sundays
ending time was scheduled for the end of the parade. There were a variety of events scheduled within and just
out of the Village limits. The department saw a substantial increase in visitors to the Village on the first 3 days,
with a drastic drop-off on Sunday due to the weather.

Serving with Pride, Professionalism, and Integrity.

 Shepherd Police Department
251 West Wright Avenue P.O. Box 562 Shepherd, MI 48883
Telephone: 989-828-5045 Fax: 989-828-7017

Law Enforcement Schedule

The Shepherd Police Department worked a very aggressive schedule. The hours worked for Chief Sawyer,
Officer Janofski and Officer Griffis were as follows:

Officer Thursday Total Friday Total Saturday Total Sunday Total Total Per
Officer
Sawyer 0700- 16.0 0830- 16.5 0630- 18.5 0800- 7.5 58.5
2300 0100 0100 1530
Janofski 0700- 16.0 0900- 16.0 0830- 16.5 0900- 6.5 55.0
2300 0100 0100 1530
Griffis 0 1700- 8.0 1000- 15.0 1000- 5.5 28.5
0100 0100 1530

Law Enforcement Mutual Aid

A discussion was had with Isabella County Sheriff Mike Main, Michigan State Police Post Commander
Lawrence Schloegl and Central Michigan University Police Department Lieutenant Larry Klaus regarding law
enforcement activities for the four-day event. The Shepherd Police Department requested mutual aid for extra
patrols and primarily for extra presence and visibility. The Isabella County Sheriffs Department did provide as
much visibility as possible. Central Michigan University was able to provide 2 Officers to assist during Friday 2
nights Emergency Vehicle Parade. These officers were assigned to the Midway area during the parade to show
police presence. In addition, Mt. Pleasant City Police and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Departments
were made aware of the MSF and were ready to deploy resources if needed, thankfully they were not needed.

Non-Law Enforcement Assistance

The Shepherd Police Department was assisted twice by the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT). The
CERT Team assisted with traffic control at intersections within the Village during the Emergency Vehicle
Parade on Friday and the Maple Syrup Parade on Sunday. The CERT Team arrived one hour early to receive
briefings and assignments. They were equipped with Isabella County Emergency Management Operations
communications equipment. The CERT Team utilized safety vests and other equipment provided by the CERT
Team. These volunteers assistance was greatly appreciated.

Law Enforcement Issues

During the event the Shepherd Police Department utilized the Isabella County Central Dispatch to document all
activities that were reported. Incidents requiring a complaint number to be issued was done by the individual
officer. The following calls/incidents were responded to:

Serving with Pride, Professionalism, and Integrity.

 Shepherd Police Department
251 West Wright Avenue P.O. Box 562 Shepherd, MI 48883
Telephone: 989-828-5045 Fax: 989-828-7017

THURSDAY: Parking Complaints 9, ORV Issues 2, Motorist Assists 2, Traffic Stops 2, Lost and
Found 1, Civil Matter 1, Suspicious Situation 1.

FRIDAY: Parking Complaints 15, ORV Issues 7, Traffic Stops 6, Ordinance Violations 1, Civil Matter
1, Juvenile Matter 1, 911 Hang-Up 1, Missing Children 2, Animal Issue 1, Lost and Found 1.

SATURDAY: Parking Complaints 10, ORV Issues 1, Lost Property 3, Traffic Stops 3, Medical Incident
1, Motorist Assist 1, BOL Vehicle 1, Noise Complaint 1, Traffic Accidents 2.

SUNDAY: Traffic Accident 1, Traffic Stops 2.

Of the 80 incidents, only 7 required police reports. It should be noted that per Isabella County Central Dispatch,
no incidents were reported to them after the Shepherd Police Department went off-duty. A considerable amount
of time was spent on traffic patrol, foot patrol at the Midway and the Hospitality Tent. This presence resulted in
zero significant issues of a criminal nature.

Traffic Control Order(s)

There were three traffic control orders signed for the Maple Syrup Festival. The orders are listed below and
were only active for the Festival. 3

Red Maple Lane Parking

TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDER NUMBER 17-00001
ISSUED BY Chief of Police Luke Sawyer
DEPARTMENT REQUESTING Shepherd Police Department
REQUESTING DEPT. HEAD SIGNATURE
DATE ISSUED 04/17/2017
DATE FILED WITH CLERK 04/17/2017
DATE OF EXPIRATION 04/30/2017
STATUS Temporary

No Parking on Wright Avenue (for multiple events)

TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDER NUMBER 17-00002
ISSUED BY Chief of Police Luke Sawyer
DEPARTMENT REQUESTING Shepherd Police Department
REQUESTING DEPT. HEAD SIGNATURE
DATE ISSUED 04/17/2017
DATE FILED WITH CLERK 04/17/2017
DATE OF EXPIRATION 04/30/2017
STATUS Temporary

Serving with Pride, Professionalism, and Integrity.

 Shepherd Police Department
251 West Wright Avenue P.O. Box 562 Shepherd, MI 48883
Telephone: 989-828-5045 Fax: 989-828-7017

Street Closure on First/Hall and Second/Hall (Midway)

TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDER NUMBER 17-00003
ISSUED BY Chief of Police Luke Sawyer
DEPARTMENT REQUESTING Shepherd Police Department
REQUESTING DEPT. HEAD SIGNATURE
DATE ISSUED 04/17/2017
DATE FILED WITH CLERK 04/17/2017
DATE OF EXPIRATION 04/30/2017
STATUS Temporary

Areas for Improvement

With any event, no matter how successful, there is always areas that could be improved. Based on incidents
responded to, parking education and ORV law are two areas that need attention.

The parking was an issue in several areas, specifically in the residential areas near the yard sales. It was very
congested in several areas. Some of this was due to residents roping off their yards to prevent people from
parking on their grass. The area roped off was all Village right-of-way. We would begin educating individuals
about right-of-way prior to the festival.
4
The second issue was the driving of illegal ORVs on the roadway. We follow the ordinance set forth by the
Shepherd Village Council. The only deviation allowed for the Festival is the driving of ORVs on Wright
Avenue. This would be another item we would begin educating individuals about prior to the Festival.

Final Thoughts

The 2017 Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival was a success in the eyes of the Shepherd Police Department. I
believe the pre-planning, positive working relationships with other entities, long hours and pro-active law
enforcement greatly contributed to the overall success and safety of the event.

The Shepherd Police Department looks forward to the 2018 Maple Syrup Festival planning and event. We are
constantly looking for ways to improve this showcase of our community. As always it is our intent to make the
event a positive, fun and safe time for all who attend.

Respectfully submitted,

Chief Luke Sawyer

Serving with Pride, Professionalism, and Integrity.