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By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — Drug activity was the top issue mentioned as an area of concern for local residents in a recent survey conducted by the Ludington Police Department.
Drugs — including drug use, drug dealers, and drug-related concerns — were mentioned 35 times or more by people who completed the survey.
“In early January, the Chamber Alliance of Mason County collaborated with the LPD to distribute a community survey,” states a summary of the report. “The purpose of this survey was to gather feedback on the strengths and areas for improvement from the perspective of our community members. While we recognize that it is impossible to meet everyone’s expectations, our primary objective is to be the best law enforcement agency we can be — willing to confront areas of weakness and build upon our strengths.”
The majority of residents feel that the police department’s overall performance meets the needs of the community, with 55 percent of respondents strongly agreeing or agreeing. Although, 27 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed. Fifteen percent neither agreed or disagreed.
A total of 54 percent feel that the police department treats everyone fairly — “regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin.” One third of the respondents disagreed/strongly disagreed with that statement.
A total of 60 percent said they feel safe and secure in the Ludington community, while 24 percent said they disagree/strongly disagree. Sixty four percent said they agree or strongly agree that they feel safe in the community’s business areas, while 22 percent said they do not.
Half of the respondents said they are satisfied with the police department’s communication and transparency, while 35 percent disagreed.
Over two thirds of the respondents are happy with LPD’s community outreach events, such as Shop with a Cop, Movies In The Park, Water Safety Day, etc. Yet, 21 percent said they disagree or strongly disagree that the community outreach events help to strengthen relationships between the police department and the public.
After drugs, the biggest law enforcement safety concerns were: homelessness, speeding and police behavior and accountability, such as police corruption, abuse of power, lack of professionalism and violations of rights. Respondents also mentioned public safety, such as safety for pedestrians and mental health concerns; traffic enforcement; racism; sidewalk and street maintenance.
Other areas of concern include youth and school-related Issues, such as speeding near schools and violence among students. Violence and abuse — domestic violence, child abuse and violence toward law enforcement — was also mentioned. Respondents also cited a lack of police presence and a desire for more patrols as key issues.
“Drug-related issues topped the list, with a strong emphasis on illegal drugs and their impact on the community,” states the survey summary. “Homelessness was also a highly-cited concern, reflecting concerns about the visible homeless population and its impact on public spaces. Speeding and traffic enforcement came up frequently, especially around schools and neighborhoods. Concerns about police behavior and accountability ranked highly, with several individuals expressing dissatisfaction with law enforcement’s treatment of the community.”
Starting with most frequent comments to least frequent, examples of comments in each category include:
Foot patrols
“Please put police back on the sidewalks/streets, either walking or riding bikes again.”
“Foot patrols downtown.”
“Would also like to see officers on foot downtown randomly in summer.”
“More foot patrols.”
Training
“More training and way more hands-on training.”
“More training on de-escalation.”
“More education about constitutional rights and how not to violate them.”
“More training in handling mental health issues.”
“More sensitivity training.”
Officer presence
“Please put police back on the sidewalks/streets, either walking or riding bikes again.”
“I’ve seen the PD at events and they are always at the ready and keep watch.”
“More patrol at the park.”
“Officers should be seen more regularly in the community.”
More officers
“Increase the number of officers and provide needed training/equipment.”
“We need more personnel, specifically in the detective bureau.”
“More officers.”
“More officers, especially for traffic control.”
Community outreach/engagement
“More community outreach to get to know on a personal level.”
“Continue communicating with the community and schools.”
“More outreach, be available to the city for office hours.”
“LOVE all community outreach. Whether being visible and passing out candy on Halloween or helping fund community projects.”
Enforcement/traffic/speeding
“More use of traffic speed monitors.”
“Give a warning for a first traffic offense vs. an expensive ticket.”
“Ticket speeders!”
“Enforce crosswalk rules.”
Respect and transparency
“Be more approachable.”
“Be more open and transparent.”
“Officers shouldn’t be dismissive of public complaints on safety issues.”
Homelessness and social services
“Help for the homeless population.”
“We need more homeless shelters.”
“Provide a safe place for people who live in their cars to sleep overnight.”
Mental health support
“Better sensitivity training on those with mental health disorders.
“Our officers need a safe space to talk about their mental health.”
“More training on de-escalation.
“Try actually training your officers in laws and not feelings.”
Fireworks enforcement
“Fireworks shouldn’t be in residents’ hands, in residential neighborhoods.”
“All fireworks should be in a designated area.”
Police chief/leadership issues
“Sack the police chief.”
“Find a different police chief.”
Officer appearance
“Shave the damn beards!”
Public safety concerns
“Worry more about child molesters as you do addicts.”
“Address traffic near the schools.”
“Foot patrols and training are the most frequently mentioned topics, with community outreach and more officers being prominent as well,” states the summary. “Mental health and de-escalation training have been emphasized multiple times as areas of concern or improvement. There is a noticeable amount of feedback regarding police visibility and officer presence, signaling a desire for more active, approachable police interactions.”
The summary notes that LPD improved in certain areas, such as its overall performance and treating people fairly, from last year’s survey compared to this year. However, there is a decrease in residents feeling safe in their neighborhoods and the department’s communication and transparency. “These mixed results highlight progress, but also indicate areas that still require improvement.
The initial assessment of the survey results states the following:
“Common themes from the open-ended responses included concerns about drugs, speeding, transparency, officer training, and police interaction with people with mental illness, among others. We have already addressed many of these concerns through increased training. In 2024 and 2025, LPD officers have undergone significant cultural competency and anti-bias training, including sessions on mental health, Autism, and Alzheimer’s. Additional training is planned for 2025.
“Drug Enforcement: LPD is committed to addressing the drug issue in our jurisdiction. Officers work proactively every day, and we partner with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies as part of the State, Sheriff’s, Chief’s Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) to combat the impacts of drugs.
“Homelessness: We recognize that homelessness is a complex issue. While being unhoused is not a crime, LPD is committed to offering assistance to the unhoused, when possible, without violating their rights. We regularly engage with this community and provide help where it is accepted.
“Traffic Enforcement: Speeding was mentioned 32 times in the survey. LPD uses data from speed-monitoring devices to assess actual speeding concerns and has conducted targeted enforcement in areas where speeding is confirmed. Priority areas, like around schools, will always have traffic enforcement.
“Police Accountability: Police behavior and accountability were mentioned 18 times. In 2024, LPD received four complaints, all of which were investigated. In each case, the officers acted lawfully, professionally, and within policy. In addition to investigating citizen complaints, LPD staff review random body-worn camera videos, from each patrol officer, on a quarterly basis. These reviews have found no unprofessional or unlawful behavior by LPD officers. We will continue to hold officers accountable for their actions while defending them when they operate within the law and policy.
“Community Issues Beyond Police Control: Several survey responses focused on issues like roads and sidewalks, which are outside LPD’s jurisdiction. We regularly collaborate with other agencies, including the Department of Public Works, Community Mental Health, and the Department of Health and Human Services, to address these concerns. LPD is also spearheading The HUB program, in partnership with CMH and the Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Collaborative, to better support those with mental health and addiction challenges.
“Police Presence and Visibility: LPD typically schedules two officers per shift. Due to limited staff and increased complaint load, there is less time for patrols. However, we strive to allocate time for community engagement once fully staffed. Additionally, in response to concerns, I have decided that we will no longer install ‘ghost markings’ on patrol cars. All new vehicles will feature traditional reflective markings, beginning with the patrol vehicle put into service in 2024.” Ghost markings are graphics, also known as stealth graphics, that blend in with the vehicle’s paint color.
“LPD remains dedicated to improving service, building trust, and maintaining transparency with our community. Our officers are committed to continuous improvement and professional law enforcement. We appreciate the community feedback, and we look forward to working with you to meet our community’s public safety needs.”
To view the complete survey results, visit Ludington Police Department on the city’s website.
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