Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met Oct. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Mayor Allhands, Aldermen Barragree, Cahoe and Marcier

ABSENT: Aldermen Garfield and Miller, and Rushbrook and Alderwoman Musk

Mayor Allhands opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Chief Douglas gave the Auxiliary Department report by stating the departments monthly meeting was sexual harassment training and the department helped with Harvest Days and will out on patrol for Halloween. Chief also stated that with Officer Muench retiring Officer Spears will be taking over as the overseer of the Auxiliary Department.

Fire Chief Ken Baier stated his department had 3 fires, 5 EMS assists, 1 MVA, 7 automatic alarms, 2 autoaid calls, 2 CO Alarms, 6 miscellaneous calls for a total of 24 calls for the month of September. He also reported total calls last year was 173 and as of right now they are at 182. Training for September consisted of SCBA donning and doffing, multi company drills at the training can under smoke and fire, critique of Walnut structure fire, ladder drills at the training cans, officers meeting. Firefighter LeSage is taking an instructor 2, 40-hour course. The department has taken possession of the ambulance. The paperwork to get it certified is in progress and the department should have it back by the end of the month. The department is in the process of getting decals put on also. The department is trying for a $750 grant through Country Companies to by a jump pack. They are also applying for a small tools grant in the amount of $25,000.00 to purchase a cardiac monitor. The cost for the monitor is $30,000. Chief stated at some point the department will be purchasing cots that cost between $8,000-$10,000, and stair chair for $5,000. Chief Baier stated he has been at Dollar General several times and the problem is they have to much merchandise and not enough employees to fill the shelves. Most of the staff has quit so they will be closed until they get more staff and are able to clean up the store. Chief did state that October is Fire Prevention Month, and the department will be going to the schools to teach fire safety.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas spoke next. He stated his department had 323 calls for service during the month of September. Chief stated the decision has been made regarding the body cams. He is going with Panasonic brand. The cost is going to be between $80,000 and $100,000 to purchase and included is on premise storage. He will using local cure grant money that was obtained with COVID monies. The cost will be $97,126.00. This will be for 9 car cams and 15 body cams. Brian Williams the Panasonic rep will install all the cams. Chief stated Officer Muench retired 10/1/22 and now they are short 2 officers. Alex Corriveau will graduate in November, and he is doing is FTO so once he graduates, he will be ready to go on his own. The police commission is meeting again on Wednesday, so the Sergeants statuses are on hold for now. Justin Moyer has been hired as a part time officer.

Chief reported Officer Harris went to a 3-day school in Tennessee with Tucker. While he was there was when the incident happened in Gilman, so Tucker was not available to help with that, but 3 officers from the department did go. Chief reported earlier today a stop was made that Tucker assisted with and there was a random amount of pills confiscated along with $13,000 in cash.

Chief also stated that Officer Harris attended a rapid deployment training class and now he can train other officers within the department.

Chief reported all the emails within the department are up to date with encrypted emails. Fire Department and City Hall are also up to date.

Chief stated after a lengthy discussion with ICOM the dispatching costs this year will remain at $120,000.00. In January a budget meeting with be held with all the members to discuss the upcoming costs in the future. Chief invited the Mayor and Finance Chairman Barragree to attend.

Chief discussed bikes and skateboards in the downtown area. He is asking if no bikes/skateboards could be painted on the sidewalks. The committee is ok with this and barriers were also discussed as an option. Alderman Marcier volunteered to talk to Loren at public works to come up with a plan.

Chief stated Scott Anderson has contacted him about doing police department pictures again. Chief would like to do this now that he has new officers and they all have dress uniforms. The committee is ok with this.

Mayor Allhands makes a motion to adjourn at 7:09 pm and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried. 4-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/public-safety-10-11-22.pdf