Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met Sept. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, Muench, Miller, Anderson, Alderwoman DeLahr

ABSENT: Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Allhands

GUESTS: Auxiliary Officer Erik Buikema, Fire Chief Ken Baier, and Police Chief Jeremy Douglas, Nita Dubble with the Police Commission and Officer Joshua Douglas

Alderman Barragree opened the meeting at 6:33pm. There was no public comment.

Auxiliary Officer Erik Buikema spoke first, he stated his departments monthly meeting all attended except for one, they reviewed the Family Festival (there were no problems), discussed the Harvest Daze Event that will be happening in October and discussed the train event. The department had no call outs in August. Officer Buikema stated the department would like to promote Ashley Seibring to Sgt. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to promote Ashley Seibring in the Auxiliary department to Sgt. and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

Fire Chief Ken Baier stated his department had 3 fires, 12 first responders, 28 ambulances, 8 MVA’s, 5 automatic alarms, and 8 other miscellaneous calls for a total of 64 calls for the month of August. Training for August consisted of brush truck operations, rapid intervention team training at the cans, MABAS tent setup, mutual aid training, and water shuttle. Chief stated Jackie LeSage took a 40-hour rope operations class. The Chief also stated the station 1 bay doors have been replaced, annual pump testing has been done along with the annual hose testing. The department participated in the Watseka Family Festival and installed 4 smoke detectors in homes. The Chief reported they helped a resident at 802 E Rosewood Street, with legal help, move into a place that was more suitable for her, as she was having some issues with keeping her home up. After she gets more help, they are hoping she can come back home. Serve Pro has been called in to clean the residence. Chief Baier reported that one of their firemen Dakota Schroeder who has been with the department for 5 years had a brain tumor removed, he is back home now and doing well and is anxious to return.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas spoke next. He requested a moment of silence for fallen police officer Brandon Schreiber from Newton County Indiana.

Chief Douglas stated the department had 420 calls for the month of August. He stated the department was at the railroad detail, there were no problems, and it was a great turn out. Officer Corriveau attended the DNC in Chicago through ILEAS. Officer Douglas and Hamlin attended a law enforcement officer defense tactics class. Chief Douglas introduced new officer Nick Juarez. He is currently getting in his FTO training. He graduated on August 23rd from school. Officer Juarez was born and raised in Kankakee and currently lives there. Chief Douglas stated he will be retiring January 13 or January 20th, 2025, with 27 years of service. Chief Deputy Josh King will also be retiring at the same time, with 28 years of service.

Officer Josh Douglas spoke next. He stated he has addressed the committee at an earlier meeting regarding the city paying reimbursement for a master’s degree. He stated at Governors State to get a master’s degree it will require 36 credit hours at about $400 per credit or about $15,000. The deadline to get enrolled for the spring classes is October 18th. The committee is ok with the reimbursement, but an addendum will need to be added to the current police union contract. Alderman Anderson makes a motion to recommend to the council to reimburse an officer for a master’s degree and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Chief Douglas stated the department held an event along with the fire department during the Watseka Family Festival. Chief also stated Officer Spears and Sgt. Harris did a back-to-school public service announcement with WGFA.

Police Commission member Nita Dubble stated the police commission has met, and they will be testing for Lieutenants and sergeants’ positions soon. There is 1 Lt. position open and 1 Sgt. position open. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the council to get testing dates set up and Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. The police commission also will be setting up testing dates for a new list. Classes for a new officer will start in January. Nita stated the police commission can’t hire a new chief, but she has talked to Mayor Allhands, and he would like to put a committee together with her and 2 other members. This will be discussed at full council on Thursday.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to adjourn at 7:06 pm.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/public-safety-9-10-24.pdf