Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met May 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Present: Aldermen Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, Miller, Muench, Anderson, Alderwomen Rohlfs and DeLahr and Mayor Allhands

GUESTS: Sheldon Mayor Bill Milan, Auxiliary Officer Eric Buikema, Fire Chief Ken Baier, Police Chief Jeremy Douglas

Alderman Barragree opened the meeting at 6:38. There was no public comment. Sheldon Mayor Bill Milan spoke first. He stated he would like the city of Watseka to enter into an agreement with them to provide 20 hours of police protection and 5 hours of code enforcement per week. He stated the county wants to charge them $85,000 per year and use Sheldon’s vehicle. Chief Douglas asked if this was short term because he himself has trouble with staffing at times. He also stated that the policies and procedures that WPD has could be different than Sheldon’s. Chief suggested he look around for some officers that are willing to work part time. He stated his officers can work part time for another department if they choose. It was decided the City of Watseka is not interested in supplying Sheldon with police protection or code enforcement, but the city would be willing to answer any questions if they hire someone.

Auxiliary Officer Eric Buikema reported his department’s monthly meeting consisted of live mock traffic stops with Officer Spears, reviewed the traffic detail in reference to the railroad and went over upcoming events. The department had 1 detail in helping with rerouting of traffic during the railroad closure from 4/23 to 4/26. Officer Buikema also attended the Watseka Family Festival’s board meeting on 5/8 to prepare for the use of Auxiliary officers during the event.

Fire Chief Ken Baier stated this department had 2 fires, 10 first responder calls, 30 ambulance calls, 4 MVA’s calls, 8 automatic alarms, 2 auto aid calls, and 7 other calls for a total of 62 for the month of April. Training for April consisted of boat training, vehicle extrication, rapid intervention, and pumping with hose line advancement. The department has installed at station 1 a new speaker system for paging and radio traffic. The department did 7 home inspections and installed 8 smoke detectors. The department hosted MABAS 7 meeting, helped with Camp 911 and the Little Leage Parade. A question was asked about

IMH’s ambulance and Ken stated that will be used for transfers only. Alderman Cahoe asked about the old fire truck that is at the impound lot, Chief Baier stated he is holding on to because he has some people that are interested in it. Alderman Anderson stated the county might be interested in it, he is looking for someone to donate a new motor and to install it.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas stated his department had 357 calls for the month of April. Officers Corriveau and Hamlin attended a 40 course in Bloomington about crisis intervention, Officer Josh Douglas attended an interview and Interrogation class, Officer Forbes attended a 2-day drug identification course. The department helped with the kite event last Saturday and with the Little Leage Parade. The department’s weapons qualification is now complete. New officer Nick Juarez is at the academy. Car #4 has been restriped with a retro look. Chief stated the department has 4 high school kids that are doing a shadow program doing ride a longs.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to adjourn at 7:04 and Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/public-safety-5-14-24.pdf