• Lucky us—we got TWO sheriffs today (Chief George Rouhib and Sheriff Stuhlreyer).  Double the law enforcement, double the fines, and absolutely no chance of parole.
• Linda Eastman wanted an announcement about Friday’s Trivia Night to End Polio. The question was: What’s the fine for making an announcement? A) $1, B) $5, or C) All of the above. Correct answer: C! Pay up, Linda. The Sheriff’s budget doesn’t balance itself!
• Steve Cooper was accused of playing in the WNBA, which apparently earned him a pass on the Pledge of Allegiance. We’re still investigating that one.
• Naples: Where the Rich Go to Discover They’re Neither A friend once told Sheriff Stuhlreyer that when he got old and rich, he planned to move to Naples, Florida. When he finally arrived, he discovered he was neither. Welcome to retirement planning, folks! Shirley Gofrank agreed with that!
• Meanwhile, our accounting department, Eric Whipple, Tom Neveau, and Vince Mattina, has apparently lost the laptop containing all the records of our money. That’s an automatic $5 fine. Nothing says financial accountability quite like losing track of the finances! For the details on this hilarious story, contact Eric!
• On a brighter note, the golf outing brought in an estimated $13,000. Congratulations to everyone who worked on the committee! Apparently, you can lose a laptop and still make money. Somebody should teach our accountants that trick.
• Michigan Football: Another Week, Another Investigation? Sheriff Peter admitted he didn’t watch the game, but that didn’t stop him from asking whether Michigan cheated again. Someone informed him the Wolverines won at the end. Peter remains unconvinced. In the interest of fairness, we’ll fine all U of M grads $5 for the win.
• Look Up! And While You’re Up, Pay a Fine! Between 2 and 5 a.m. on October 21, stargazers may spot 50 to 60 shooting stars. Scott Sarvello, that means you might see a dozen or so—four every time you get up to use the bathroom. Finally, a scientific reason to interrupt your sleep!
• October is National Sarcasm Month, which explains a great deal about this club.
• Your Civic Duty: Vote, Then Complain Responsibly. Early voting is underway starting this weekend, and members were reminded to get out and vote. The Rochester Hills Public Library is an early voting location in Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township. Peter’s advice? If you don’t vote, you forfeit your right to complain. And in America, complaining is practically a constitutional amendment.
• History, Height, and Other Expensive Mistakes. On this day in 1803, Napoleon agreed to sell the Louisiana Territory to the United States. The deal doubled the size of the country, and Peter wanted to know how much we paid. (Somebody check whether the accounting laptop survived that question.) Turns out the U.S. paid $15 million.
• And because Napoleon supposedly had a height complex, Peter declared October National Dwarf Month. Anyone over six feet tall owes $5. Those under six feet? Congratulations! You finally qualify for a discount.
• Winter Is Coming. Stock Up Accordingly. Sheriff Peter consulted AI for the top five things to do before winter. Somehow, the list grew to six while the computer was listening: 
  • Wish Shirley Gofrank well. 
  • Put away the garden hoses. 
  • Change your furnace filters. 
  • Buy salt for icy sidewalks. 
  • Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. Stock up on vodka and antidepressants. (That last recommendation may explain why AI is getting so popular.)

Rochester Police Chief George Rouhib Shares Updates on Safety, Service and Community Partnerships

Rochester has been recognized by seven or eight independent sources as one of Michigan’s 10 safest cities, a distinction Police Chief George is proud to share. With 22 sworn officers and three seasonal officers, the Rochester Police Department works hard to keep the community safe. Residents also play an important role by reporting concerns promptly and helping officers respond quickly.

Speaking to Rochester Rotary, Chief George discussed several initiatives designed to improve downtown safety, strengthen relationships with businesses, and provide assistance to vulnerable residents.

Keeping Downtown Safe

Downtown Rochester’s narrow sidewalks, outdoor dining areas, and increasing use of electric bikes have created potential hazards for pedestrians. In response, the city established a downtown safety zone covering both sides of the street from the north end of the Paint Creek bridge to University Street. Wheeled devices must be walked through this area, with exceptions for people with disabilities. Alternative routes are available.

The department is emphasizing education rather than tickets, distributing flyers and posting signs to help residents understand the ordinance. Chief George also distinguished conventional e-bikes from high-powered electric motorcycles, some of which can reach dangerous speeds and are not street-legal. Additional regulations for park trails are being considered.

A New Social District

Rochester has also approved a downtown social district extending from Second Street to the Paint Creek bridge and from Water Street to Walnut Boulevard. Participating, authorized businesses will be able to sell alcoholic beverages for customers to carry and consume within the designated area. The local rules limit customers to two drinks at a time.

With approximately 55 to 60 events annually, Rochester welcomes large crowds downtown. Last year’s lighting ceremony attracted nearly 50,000 people within a three-block area, with no police complaints other than parking issues. The social district is intended to complement the city’s lively event calendar while maintaining a safe, enjoyable atmosphere.

Building Business Relationships

The department is developing Rochester Cops and Shops, a program that will divide downtown into 10 zones, assigning officers to individual businesses. Store owners and managers will have direct contacts for non-emergency questions, helping build trust and make communication easier.

The program may also offer practical training, including CPR, defibrillator use, bleeding-control techniques, employee conflict management, and background checks. Henry Ford Health is expected to support the placement of publicly accessible defibrillators downtown.

Helping Vulnerable Residents

Another initiative, SAVES (Special Needs Autism Vulnerable Person Education and Safety), helps protect people with autism, dementia, and other cognitive challenges. Participants can receive QR-code stickers that provide emergency contacts if someone wanders away. The program also offers a Blue Envelope for drivers with cognitive or communication needs. The envelope contains essential documents and information to help officers approach traffic stops with greater understanding and patience.

What began locally has grown into a nonprofit program involving approximately 30 police agencies.

The department also replaced its former refrigerator-based food-sharing program with a secure, dry-food pantry behind the police station. Supported by community donations and Neighborhood House, it provides free shelf-stable food to those who need it.

Technology and Personal Service

New technology is helping officers respond more effectively. Body-worn cameras can assist with communication across hundreds of languages, while in-car systems allow officers to hear 911 calls before arriving on scene.

The department also has a trained tracking and narcotics-detection canine and a comfort dog named Leo, short for “Law Enforcement Officer.”

Chief George closed by emphasizing that, despite the challenges, serving the community remains deeply rewarding. His goal is simple: make a positive difference in at least one person’s life each day.

Rotarians were encouraged to follow the Rochester Police Department’s Facebook page for updates and to contact Chief George whenever they need assistance. His message was clear: community safety works best when police and residents work together.