More than 200 residents, neighbors and Dayton Mall business owners attended the Miami Twp. Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night, many to make their case for the Miami Twp. Police Department.

“Absolutely I’m here to support the police department,” resident Susie Styer said. “The residents get to know the police, and that personal service makes a big difference.”

The potential contracting of police services with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was not on Tuesday’s agenda, but the large crowd was attributed to recent discussions by trustees, rumors in the community and the circulation of a flier on the topic by the local Fraternal Order of Police.

Miami Twp. trustees Deborah Preston and Mike Nolan each offered a statement before dozens of public comments were made.

Nolan emphasized the importance of looking at all ways to save money on police services in the wake of the failed 5-mill police levy in November.

Preston, the board president, said she wants to keep the Miami Twp. Police Department intact.

“I will not support the outsourcing of the police department,” she said. “I invite everyone to support the police department with the police levy.”

The trustees placed a 5.25-mill police levy on the May ballot, and each have noted the need to pass this levy to maintain police services.

Those who spoke at the meeting primarily cited the excellent service of the police department. Others lauded the sense of community the local force provides, while some questioned whether outsourcing would provide a financial savings.

No one spoke against the police department, although there were comments made against paying for multiple levies.

Nolan reiterated before the meeting that he is awaiting a study from the sheriff’s office about the financial feasibility of this plan, although Preston and Trustee Charles Lewis have said they have no knowledge of this study.

Of the nine townships in Montgomery County, three contract their police services with the sheriff’s office: Washington Twp., Harrison Twp. and Jefferson Twp.