Stay Informed on Updates and Public Engagement Opportunities

A strong community starts with those who keep it safe. But right now, the people we rely on are working in conditions that don’t meet the standards they deserve. The current Department of Public Safety facility lacks proper decontamination space, and many Officers are using expired protective gear, putting their health and safety at risk. With the right space and equipment, they can continue to protect, serve, and grow with the city they proudly call home.

Protecting what matters starts with you.

About
the Ask…

To ensure the continued safety and well-being of the community, the City is proposing a ten year dedicated 2 mill tax levy. These funds would directly support Public Safety operations—strengthening response capabilities, upgrading essential equipment, and ensuring officers have the resources they need to serve and protect the community.

Planned Use of Funds:

Essential Facility Upgrades (65% of total millage collection)

Construct a dedicated decontamination area to
enhance firefighter health and safety.
Perform necessary repairs to the apparatus bay to
ensure operational readiness.
Remediate environmental hazards, including mold
and asbestos.
Renovate interior spaces to improve functionality
and address space constraints.

Support for Operating Budget (10% of total millage collection)

Reduce reliance on the General Fund, allowing for
the reallocation of resources to other critical
community projects and services.

Modernization of Equipment (25% of total millage collection)

Replace outdated and non-compliant firefighting
gear to meet current safety standards.
Purchase a new fire engine to ensure reliable
emergency response capabilities.

Community Involvement and Value

Special Events & Community Education

The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety (GHDPS) provides comprehensive support for over 63 community events annually. This includes overseeing traffic control orders, conducting event planning and safety reviews, managing road closures, and providing on-site patrols to ensure public safety and smooth event operations.
In addition to event support, GHDPS actively promotes public education by coordinating and delivering a range of annual safety and preparedness programs at local schools, businesses, and community institutions.
School Involvement

The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety (GHDPS) provides dedicated School Resource Officer (SRO) services to eight schools within the City, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment through daily presence and relationship-building with students and staff.
In addition to SRO responsibilities, GHDPS officers lead the TEAM (Teaching, Educating, and Mentoring) program, delivering structured educational sessions to 3rd, 6th, and 8th-grade students. This program focuses on promoting positive decision-making, safety awareness, and constructive community engagement among youth.
Special Assignments & Certifications

In addition to responding to calls for service, managing community events, and providing supplemental support, the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety (GHDPS) is committed to maintaining a high standard of professional readiness through continuous training and certification.
Department personnel must regularly train to retain instructor-level certification in a wide range of specialized disciplines that directly enhance public safety and community well-being. These areas include, but are not limited to: Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE), Control Tactics and Use of Force, TASER and Less Lethal (SAGE) Instruction, Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Techniques, CPR/AED and Life-Saving Medical Response, Water and Ice Rescue Operations, Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) Calibration, Accident Reconstruction, Forensic Interviewing, Firearms and Defensive Tactics Instruction, Fire Investigation and Code Inspection.
These certifications enable GHDPS to deliver advanced, in-house training and community education, ensuring both personnel readiness and enhanced service delivery to the public.
Building Department

The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety (GHDPS) manages and operates the City’s Building Department, encompassing all aspects of permitting, plan review, code enforcement, and building inspections. Additionally, the Department administers the City’s rental registration programs, ensuring compliance with local regulations and promoting safe, well-maintained rental properties within the community.

The Challenge…

Over the years, the Department has experienced a steady increase in call volume and service demand due to population growth, expanded community needs, and the growing complexity of emergency response situations. Despite this sustained rise in demand, the Department has not seen a corresponding increase in staffing levels, resulting in a growing strain on current personnel and resources.

This imbalance has created significant operational challenges. The Department is increasingly required to do more with the same—or in some cases, fewer—resources, which can lead to longer response times, increased workload per Officer, and heightened risks to both personnel and the public.

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Have you ever wondered why you see so many police cars at a fire scene? In our community, Public Safety Officers are trained to serve as firefighters, police officers, and Medical First Responders. That means when a fire breaks out, the same officers who keep our neighborhoods safe every day are also the ones who can put on turnout gear and fight the fire, or step in to provide medical care in those first critical moments. This approach allows us to respond with strength and flexibility. While some officers are handling traffic, evacuations, or securing the area, others are on the front lines of the fire itself — often with fire gear stored right in their patrol cars. It’s a model that requires an incredible amount of training and commitment, but it ensures that no matter what emergency comes our way, we have the right people in the right place, ready to act. What might look like “too many” vehicles on a scene is actually the visible proof of one team, trained in three disciplines, working together to protect our community.

🚓 Weekly Roundup | September 10 – September 17 🚑 Our team stayed active throughout the week, continuing to provide safety and support across the community. #grandhavendepartmentofpublicsafety #grandhavenpublicsafety #weeklyrecap #CommunityStrong #publicsafetyupdate

The City of Grand Haven invites you to learn more about the Public Safety Millage that will be on the November 4th ballot. 📌 Presentations with Q&A 📍 Central Park Place (421 Columbus Avenue) • September 24 — 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm • October 23 — 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm 📌 Guided Facility Tours (tours will run approximately every 20 minutes during the time frame noted on the flyer) 📍 GHDPS (525 Washington Avenue) • September 20 • October 2 • October 15 Learn how the millage would impact facilities, operations, and equipment — because we’re committed to Protecting What Matters. Visit www.grandhavenpublicsafetymillage.org for more details.

Behind the scenes, our Public Safety Officers face challenges most people never see. Our station’s locker room has limited storage, outdated lockers, and ongoing water issues that lead to mold and poor ventilation. After responding to a fire, national standards recommend that firefighters decontaminate within an hour. Yet our entire team shares just three showers, and one toiliet. That makes it difficult to remove harmful smoke, soot, and chemicals quickly — increasing long-term risks to health and safety. On November 4, the proposed Public Safety millage will be on the ballot. Part of that discussion is the need for updated, functional locker room facilities that protect the people who protect our community. We encourage everyone to learn more about these challenges and make an informed decision at the polls. https://www.grandhavenpublicsafetymillage.org/

When you see a fire scene, you see the urgency — the flames, the smoke, the effort it takes to bring everything under control. But what you don’t always see is the work that comes after. For our Public Safety Officers, maintaining equipment and ensuring proper decontamination is just as critical as fighting the fire itself. Every time gear is exposed to smoke and hazardous materials, it carries those risks back to the station unless we have the proper space and resources to clean it on scene. That’s why decontamination isn’t just about convenience — it’s about protecting the health of the men and women who respond to emergencies, and by extension, the safety of our community. After a fire is out, the danger doesn’t disappear. It lingers in turnout gear, in equipment, and even in the air. Having the right facilities to decontaminate makes the difference between bringing those hazards back to the station — or stopping them in their tracks. It’s a piece of the job most people never see, but it’s one of the most important.

Let’s talk! Find us at these dates and locations — we want to hear from you! https://www.grandhavenpublicsafetymillage.org

The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety was honored to attend the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post 28 September 11 remembrance, pausing to honor those killed in the terrorist attacks 24 years ago, pay tribute to the first responders whose actions saved countless others, and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the wars that followed. #neverforget #September11 #HonorAndRemember #grandhavendepartmentofpublicsafety #grandhavenpublicsafety

Today we honor the memory of 9/11. We remember the victims, the heroes, and the resilience of our nation. We will never forget the sacrifices made. #neverforget #September11 #HonorAndRemember #grandhavendepartmentofpublicsafety #grandhavenpublicsafety

Thanks to @fox17online for coming out to talk to Chief Hudson and City Manager Ashley Latsch today about our upcoming millage. Learn more here: https://www.grandhavenpublicsafetymillage.org/

🚓 Weekly Roundup | September 4 – September 10 🚑 A nice break in call volume this week as we welcomed everyone back to school. We’re grateful to serve and support the Grand Haven community. #grandhavendepartmentofpublicsafety #grandhavenpublicsafety #weeklyrecap #backtoschool #publicsafetyupdate