An $18 million cut to the Michigan State Police budget forces more than half of its posts to close.
Several in our area are set to shut down in a week and a half.
Troopers say it's better to have buildings close than to lay anyone off.
On Sunday, October 16th, Michigan State Police Post in Corunna will close to the public, along with another post in Oakland County's Groveland Township.
The Flint Township Post will be taking over their operations.
"Doesn't make much difference to me. Can't do much about it anyway," says Bill Reid of Corunna, who lives across the street from the MSP Post.
Corunna's Stan Murdock says, "It's inevitable. It happens."
MSP says it's a way to streamline operations, save money, and save jobs.
Lt. Stephen Sipes of the Flint Township Post says, "Troopers still will remain in all 83 counties and work in 83 counties just like they've always done, but we'll be relying less on traditional bricks and mortar with the technology in the cars, computer systems, telephones, things of that nature, mobile phones. We're finding our troopers can do a lot from the road."
In all, 600 troopers will transfer to other locations.
By consolidating services among the three posts, seven additional supervisors will be out patrolling the streets, more than doubling the Flint Township MSP's ranks.
"The work they need to do is in the community, not here at the post," says Sipes.
Calls will also be answered in Flint Township rather than Groveland Township or Corunna.
Posts in Bridgeport, Bad Axe, and Ithaca are also scheduled to close to the public as well.
Troopers say most people will not notice a difference.
Sex offenders in those areas will have to register their address with their local police department rather than the Michigan State Police starting October 16th.
