Police ready for larger influx of weekend visitors

With Homecoming quickly approaching, local law enforcement agencies are gearing up for another busy football weekend.

Central Michigan University Police Chief Bill Yeagley said the CMU Police Department will be bringing in more officers than normal to help with larger crowds.

“It’s one of our bigger games of the year,” he said. “We’ll tweak our main plan and bring additional assistance agencies.”

Jeff Thompson, public information officer for the Mount Pleasant Police Department, said the department will be working in the jurisdiction of the CMU Police Department during tailgate and throughout the game.

Thompson said his department will be bringing in seven additional officers Saturday.

“Our focus will be in the areas that we would expect our presence would be most needed, which is in the tailgating areas before and during the game,” he said.

After the game, officers will be requested to stay on-duty on an as-needed basis determined by the on duty sergeant, Thompson said.

Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said the Isabella County Police Department will be bringing in additional deputies as well, including officers from the Michigan State Police to assist with enforcement Saturday.

Mioduszewski said his department will be focusing on problems outside city limits and throughout Union Township.

“Apartment complexes get busy after the football game; that’s the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Department or the Michigan State Police,” he said.

Although busier than normal, Thompson said the department does not expect more incidents and police responses than in years past.

“Except for the tailgating being busier than a normal tailgate, we do not anticipate anything beyond extra bar traffic and student parties,” he said. “We will not be doing anything above and beyond for traffic control.”

Mioduszewski said outside of campus, problems haven’t typically gotten out of hand in the past during Homecoming weekend.

“Typically, Homecomings aren’t too bad for us,” he said. “They may be a little busier than some of the regular games, but, over the years, we haven’t seen too many issues.”

Despite larger crowds, all agencies agree Saturday’s game barely matches up to the football game against Michigan State University.

“In comparison with the MSU weekend, we are not planning on having that level of planning or participation,” Thompson said.