Sturgis Township Board contributes to protective vests purchase

The Sturgis Township Board recently agreed to contribute toward the purchase of protective vests for its zoning administrator, Randy Schmeling, and its zoning enforcement officer, Joe Wickey.

Sturgis Township’s approximate cost is $533. Money will come from permit fees that have been received from the building department.

Outfitting Schmeling and Wickey with the vests allows them to have the same level of threat protection as police.

Last year, municipal zoning executed 11 administrative search warrants. So far in 2019, nine have been served.

Vests will come equipped with pouches in which zoning personnel can carry flashlights, batteries and testers. Having everything within reach will increase safety, since one will not have to leave the other while retrieving equipment, township officials said.