By Candice Williams
The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — For David Smith, it’s simple: He lives in Allen Park and he wants the folks who provide police and fire services to be Allen Park employees.
“If I wanted Lincoln Park to protect me, I would go live in Lincoln Park,” he told the City Council on Tuesday night.
But he soon could see Lincoln Park, or another local community, provide protection after a council vote to outsource police and fire services in its 2012-13 budget. The budget would save $6.6 million on the services.
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Keenan said although he doesn’t want to outsource, it is one of few places the city can cut. “We wouldn’t be in this situation if just a few weeks ago we had gotten the millage,” he said.
Facing a $1.6 million deficit, voters rejected a two-year, 4-mill tax to raise $2.6 million annually to help pay off debt from a failed movie studio. The city mailed letters to Dearborn, Taylor, Southgate, Lincoln Park and Melvindale, as well as Wayne County Sheriff’s Office about providing the services. The officers and firefighters would be housed in Allen Park, said Mayor William Matakas.
Carl Johnson of Plante Moran told the city once it received bids for safety coverage, the city was obligated to let city public safety workers negotiate to match the savings.
Jeff O’Riley, president of the Allen Park Professional Firefighters, said if another community steps in, they’ll find the costs aren’t realistic.
“They’re going to say the price goes up,” he said. “Then what are you going to do?”
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