For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Approves Extension of Police Officer Liaison at John Glenn High School

Westland, MI - Mayor William R. Wild is pleased to announce that the Westland City Council approved the extension of the annual agreement between the City of Westland and Wayne-Westland Community Schools to provide match funding for the Police Officer Liaison position at John Glenn High School for the 2014-2015 school year.

The agreement, which splits the cost of the officer between the City and the school district, was first implemented in 2007. Westland Police Sergeant Joe Bobby will fill the position.

Sergeant Bobby is a graduate of John Glenn High School, a lifelong resident of Westland, and has proudly served as a Westland Police Officer for 15 years.

"There are a lot of duties that a liaison officer just naturally does in the course of a school day including helping with student problems and issues, interacting with teachers, and crisis response," said Sergeant Bobby. "Having an officer in the schools helps the students to identify with the law enforcement community thus building a mutual trust," added Sergeant Bobby.

One example of how the liaison officer is building this relationship with the students is the upcoming "Pop with a Cop" event. This will be held on November 20th, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. in the John Glenn High School cafeteria. Sergeant Bobby will meet with the students to informally discuss any issues or concerns they would like to see addressed.

"The bulk of our expectation for this officer is to be visible and build a lasting trust with the students; ultimately, it is these relationships which the Police Department finds to be beneficial outside of the school district itself," said Mayor William R. Wild. He also added that this gives the Police Department an opportunity to keep its finger on the pulse of the schools and helps avoid potentially violent situations that can carry out into the communities.

Sergeant Joe Bobby

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary,
at (734) 467-3200.

The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".