By: Nick Powers | Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider | Published May 10, 2024
ROSEVILLE — Community members started their morning with caffeine and new connections April 23 as the Roseville-Eastpointe Chamber of Commerce hosted a coffee hour at the Roseville City Council Chambers.
Following the meeting, City Manager Ryan Monroe gave a tour of some of the updates in City Hall.
The event, which was part of the monthly meetings the chamber hosts at different locations, allowed community members in attendance to introduce themselves. Government employees, health care workers, faith leaders, nonprofit representatives, small business owners and bank representatives all gave brief presentations at the event.
“We were happy to promote a networking event for our membership while showcasing the City Hall renovations,” Sandra Maki, event coordinator director for the chamber, said in an email following the event. “It was also much appreciated to have Police Chief Mitch Berlin and City Manager Ryan Monroe speak to the group. The event was well attended with approximately 40 attendees.”
Berlin highlighted his department’s outreach in the community. He said that, at one time, officers were sometimes reluctant to get involved in the community. Things are different now.
“Today, it’s the best I’ve ever seen,” Berlin said.
Berlin also addressed the department’s mental health services for officers. He said licensed professional counselor Harold Love is currently developing a program to assist Roseville officers. Berlin said Love will provide tips for officers to maintain mental health as well.
“It’s going to be one-on-one interviews with every member of the department,” Berlin said following the chamber’s meeting. “Anyone who wants further private sessions will now be offered. We’ll also continue to do the critical incident debriefs.”
He also talked about updates in the drone program at the coffee hour. The department currently has three drones with a fourth on the way. Some are devoted to police work, while others are devoted to surveillance. The department also received a third police dog from Pennsylvania.
City manager Ryan Monroe gave a presentation highlighting the improvements to parks and buildings scheduled over the next few years. Some of these improvements, including renovations to Fire Department buildings and a splash pad, will come from voter-approved bond money. Following the meeting, Monroe gave a tour of updates to City Hall for those in attendance.
During the tour, Monroe highlighted added security to the building. For example, only one door is now accessible to the public, and both the interior and exterior of the building now have surveillance. Departments in City Hall are clearly separated out with placards for greater accessibility. According to Monroe, this round of improvements took about 15 months and more are on the way.
“It’s going to be pretty exciting in the next year or two,” Monroe said on the tour.