COMPASSION

We care for and empathize with our fellow human beings.

COURAGE

We face danger to ensure the safety of others. We will stand up for what is right. We will be brave when others may not. We strive to eliminate fear through our actions.

EXCELLENCE

We employ those who strive to achieve a higher standard. We listen to our employees and the members of our community to continually improve our effectiveness and reliability. We strive to exceed community and professional expectations.

FAIRNESS

We will treat all individuals impartially. We will act in a just manner. We appreciate different points of view. We exercise discretion appropriately.

INTEGRITY

We will fulfill our mission in its entirety using sound principles, honesty and sincerity.

RESOURCEFULNESS

We can be relied upon for help and support. We have the ability to deal with situations effectively. We build on our mutual experiences to effectively resolve problems.

RESPECT

We value the rights and beliefs of others. We are courteous. We treat others as we expect to be treated. We appreciate diversity.

WORK ETHIC

We are self-motivated and self-directed. We do what is asked and strive to achieve expectations. We hold ourselves to a higher standard. 

At the May 16, 2023 Township Board meeting, the Board approved a Resolution to Support the Anonymous Gun Drop off Program offered at the Meridian Township Police Department. To learn more abut the program, read below.

Anonymous Gun Drop Off Instructions

If you find yourself in possession of any unwanted firearms or ammunition, you can surrender them to the Meridian Township Police by following the steps below:

1. Call the Police Department at 517.853.4800. Let the cadet know you have firearms to bring in for destruction.
2. An officer may ask you for your identification when you turn in the firearm(s) for documentation purposes. You are not required to provide your identity when turning in a firearm if you do not feel comfortable doing so. The officer will still accept the firearm(s) without your identification.
3. If you know how to safely unload the firearm(s), please do so. If you do not know how to unload the firearm(s), let the cadet know when you call. An officer can be dispatched to your home to assist if you prefer.
4. When transporting a firearm, the following must occur:
   • All firearms MUST be unloaded prior to transport in a motor vehicle.
   • All firearms should be stored in a case specifically designed for firearms.
   • The firearm must be transported in an area of the vehicle not readily accessible by the occupants (such as the trunk).
   • Ammunition must be transported in a separate area from the firearm. The glove box or passenger compartment of the vehicle are acceptable locations.
5. If possible, place a gun lock, chamber flag, flex tie or other obstruction to lock open the chamber on a revolver, the slide on a semi-automatic handgun, or the action on a long gun.
6. Drive directly to Meridian Township Police Department located at 5151 Marsh Road, Okemos, MI 48864. If you are stopped by police while transporting the firearm, immediately notify the officer that the weapon is in the vehicle and that you are on your way to the police department to surrender it.
7. On arrival at the police department, park your vehicle in a visitor space, make sure your vehicle is locked, and go inside to ask for further instructions.
8. Please do not bring any firearms into the Police Department building. Leave all firearms in their containers inside your vehicle until given further instructions by a police officer.
9. A report number will be generated and can be provided to you upon request.

What Happens to Items I Bring in?

• Firearms will be checked through a national database to be sure they have not been reported stolen or used in the commission of a crime.
• Firearms/ammunition is stored in a secure area until we have accumulated a sufficient quantity to send out for destruction.
• The Meridian Township Police Department does not sell firearms or ammunition. All firearms and ammunition turned in will be destroyed unless a legal owner can be identified.

Anonymous Gun Drop Off Instructions

A prescription drug drop box is available to the public located in the MTPD Lobby (5151 Marsh Road, Okemos). The drop box is available seven days a week. Lobby hours are as follows:

Monday through Friday: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm 

Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Further, disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can pose environmental and health hazards.

Procedures for utilizing the drop box located inside the MTPD Building:

• Certain medications (prescription and over the counter) must be disposed of using a drop box. Others are safe to be flushed down the toilet. For a list of drugs that are safe to be disposed of by flushing them down the toilet, please review the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Flush List. 
• For medications that are to be disposed of using the drop box, empty the drugs from their container into a clear ziplocked bag and bring them to the station. The bag must be sealed as to keep the drugs from spilling into the collection box. Plastic shopping bags are not an acceptable container for medications.
• Liquid medication is accepted as long as it is in its original container and stored in a ziplocked bag. Public members are encouraged to black out the name and contents on the label using a black marker. 
• Bring the ziplocked bag to the cadet desk for inspection. The cadets will ensure the ziplocked bag is sealed properly and no prohibited items are inside.
• Drop the ziplocked bag directly into the drop box.
• The following items are not accepted: Sharps such as needles, lancets and pen needles, bloody or infectious waste, aerosol cans or IV bags or thermometers.
• Sharps can be disposed of at: Ingham County Health Department (5303 Cedar Street, Lansing) or Granger Disposal Center (16500 Wood Road, Lansing).

Accepted Items:

• Pain relivers (Vicodin, Hydrocodone, Demerol, Oxycotin, Fentanyl)
• Anti-Depressants (Valium, Xanax, Zoloft, Prozac)
• Sleep Aids (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata)
• Behavior Modification Medication (Ritalin, Methylphenidate, Adderal)
• Cough Medication (with Dextromethorphan)

Non-Accepted Items:

• All other prescription medications
• Medicated ointments & lotions
• Needles, syringes, lancets, epi-pens
• Bloody or infectious waste
• Over-the-Counter drugs
• Vitamins & supplements
• Thermometers
• Insulin and inhalers 

For questions or concerns, please call the non-emergency line at 517.853.4800. For those in crisis and need of assistance, please call 911.

MTPD partnered with the Mobile Crisis Services Team from Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) launching the Telehealth Program in 2021, and continue to provide mental health services to the community. 

Through this program, officers are equipped with tablets to virtually bring clinicians to those in crisis. The goal of this program is to increase both hospital and jail diversions by providing additional support in stabilizing and connecting people with services in their time of crisis. In 2022, the program is expected to expand to be used for follow-up care. 

“This was a great opportunity for our Department to create a partnership with the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties to improve service to our Meridian and Williamstown Township community,” said Meridian Township Police Chief Ken Plaga.  “We want people in crisis to know that we will do everything we can to provide them a safe connection to resources that will help them through their situation.”

For questions about this program, please contact the non-emergency line at 517.853.4800.  For those in crisis and need of assistance, please call 911.

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