As MLB Opening Day approaches, it is "unclear who will provide police protection" at Tigers games this season and "who will pay for it," according to George Hunter of the DETROIT NEWS. Wayne County (Mich.) officials have "drafted a proposal for Wayne County sheriff’s deputies to replace Detroit police in handling security and traffic control duties in and around Ilitch Holdings’ downtown venues -- Little Caesars Arena and Comerica Park -- starting in June." The plan also "would allow the county to hire private security guards to patrol Tigers games this summer as well as Red Wings and Pistons games at the new arena when it opens in September." Detroit taxpayers "never have been reimbursed by Ilitch teams for police patrols, going back to when the Tigers played at Tiger Stadium." But the draft proposal "calls for Ilitch Holdings to pay the county an undisclosed amount for patrols." The proposal, which also "covers patrols for non-sporting events held at the Ilitch venues, is contingent on approval by the Wayne County Deputy Sheriff's Association union." No date has been "set to vote on the plan that was drafted by the county executive and sheriff’s offices." Detroit for years has been "one of the few communities nationwide that provides free police service to professional sports teams." But while the city has "given Ilitch teams a pass, the Lions have reimbursed taxpayers for patrols since Ford Field opened" in '02. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan spokesperson John Roach said that the decision not to charge Ilitch teams for patrols was "made by a previous administration" (DETROIT NEWS, 3/13).
