Since being turned down by voters on a request for a new police station, Ontwa Township-Edwardsburg Police Chief Tim Kozal has been looking at creative ways to save money and begin renovations on the current station.

Those renovations are beginning to be completed, according to Kozal.

The department has a new, more secure entrance as well as a new evidence locker.

Both were done through cost savings in the department’s budget and without additional funding.

“We have a little bit more to go,” Kozal said about the front lobby. “We still have to paint and make it look nice. There were some issues with the wiring, but that is something we can overcome out there. But I think that is an extra layer of security for the whole office. We also have a camera out there that is on 24-hours a day. So the whole lobby is going to be video taped.

“On top of that we have been able to get the construction done on our new evidence intake. We have not done the transfer over yet because we are waiting for our policy in place and our UPC system in place as we are going to barcode everything. That was a big investment.”

Having a secure facility for evidence has been a top priority of Kozal since taking over as chief.

“That was part of the plan back when I was asking for more money,” he said. “The best part of this is we have been able to do this within the budget that we have. We have been looking at everything and making sure we are staying within our budget.”

The evidence room has key fob entry, a camera and a ventilation system, which Kozal feels is state-of-the-art.

The department also has purchased a Ford Explorer, which is now in service and is equipped with everything for the weigh master. The department can now weigh trucks traveling through the township and the Village of Edwardsburg.

Construction on the renovations began three weeks ago and was only delayed slightly by a new door. Now making everything look aesthetically pleasing is the next step.

Kozal said his department is busy and has been very successful in following up on calls and their investigations.

“The diligence of the officers and the follow up has allowed us to get a lot of closer and solve some crimes. The officers have put in some really good work.”

Kozal and his department have been working on a rash of mail thefts, which has not only affected Ontwa Township and the village, but reaches into Indiana.

“They have been just driving down the road, opening the mailbox and looking through their mail,” he said. “They would deposit the excess mail or the mail they did not want in other people’s boxes. We are starting to get people coming forward and I encourage them to come forward because we don’t know unless someone reports it.

“The fraud is what is coming out of it. They are getting their credit cards, their starter checks, their checks and the suspects are using those. So now we are following up on these fraud investigations. It is going to take some time. I am probably going to post something soon to try and help identify one suspect. I am waiting on some more video. Hopefully we will be able to locate these people and get them charged.”

Kozal also said the cold case court date has been postponed until February and that the suspect in the Chemical Bank robbery is still serving time in Indiana before being brought to Michigan to stand trial.