Small Michigan community eliminates police department in effort to address budget problems

Mich. town facing deficit cuts police department

CLARKSTON, Mich. — A small town in Michigan has eliminated its police department as a way to save money.

The Oakland County sheriff’s department began patrolling the village of Clarkston on Friday night.

Clarkston previously had a police chief, one full-time officer, eight part-time officers and some reservists. WDIV-TV and the Detroit Free Press report the community about 30 miles northwest of Detroit eliminated the positions as a part of budget cuts.

The Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce says about 1,000 people live in the community.

In California, the city of Maywood eliminated its police department earlier this year because of budget problems. Maywood is southeast of Los Angeles and has about 45,000 residents.