State police closing 21 posts, including Ypsilanti's

Besides the 21 closures, 12 other posts will become detachments where troopers can do paperwork and meet with the public. Detachments will not have public hours. Also under the new plan, some troopers in rural areas will work directly from their homes, the state police said.

The changes will cut the number of fully operational posts from 62 to 29, but a statement from state police Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue said the plan will not result in reduced service.

"The MSP is confident that service levels will either be unchanged or enhanced given the increased flexibility in deployment and scheduling provided by this regional policing plan," Etue's statement said.

The changes will help the department meet a $20.7 million general fund reduction in its fiscal 2012 budget, Etue's statement said.

A trooper who answered the phone at the state police post in Ypsilanti, 1501 S. Huron St., said no one at the post Thursday night was able to comment on the plan.

Besides the post in Ypsilanti, others closing include Ithaca, Corunna, Adrian, Richmond, Groveland, Detroit, Bad Axe, Bridgeport, Gladwin, Bridgman, Battle Creek, Hastings, Newaygo, Traverse City, Cheboygan, Manistee, L'Anse, Stephenson, Munising, and Iron River.

Posts downgraded to detachments will include Jonesville, Metro South in Taylor, East Tawas, Sandusky, White Pigeon, Grand Haven, Reed City, Ionia, Petoskey, Kalkaska, Newberry and Manistique.