Setting a course for the future at GHDPS

The Grand Haven community had an opportunity to share their thoughts on the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety and its future during a town hall meeting Thursday night at the Grand Haven Community Center. The meeting was a part of a series of focus groups the city has been having regarding the expectations and future direction of the GHDPS during a time of transition between public safety directors. We want to take a deep breath and listen,' City Manager Pat McGinnis said.

Alex Doty

Grand Haven

Apr 29, 2011

According to McGinnis, the focus panels were made up of senior citizens, students, professionals, business owners, residents, city staff, elected officials, appointed officials and partner organizations, all in an attempt to get as much input as possible before moving forward.

With the focus groups complete, forum moderator Gordon Ritter said he will compile the information received at the various focus group sessions and report the findings to McGinnis and other officials within the city. They will review the comments from different focus group sessions to help determine what the next direction will be.

Ritter said he will compile notes from all of the focus group sessions and send them in a report to McGinnis.

“That information will be used to make a decision and forwarded to City Council,” Ritter said.

People who weren’t able to attend the focus group meeting can still take an online survey with their thoughts on the public safety services and expectations at http://www.grandhaven.org/uploads/pdf_documents/notices/general_notices_press_rel/dps_public_input_April2011.pdf.

To read more of this story, see today's print edition of the Grand Haven Tribune.