Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met July 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Muench, Miller, Dewitt, Pence, Brault, Alderwoman Rofhls and Mayor  Marcier 

ABSENT: Aldermen Garfield and Petersen 

GUESTS: Auxiliary Officer Erik Buikema, Assistant Fire Chief Nick Peters, Nita Dubble with  the Fire and Police Commission, Police Chief Eric Starkey 

Alderman Muench opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment.  Auxiliary Officer Erik Buikema stated his department had their meeting on July 1st with 1  absent, they discussed up the 4th of July Parade and began assigning officers for the  Watseka Family Festival. Sgt Johnson will be holding a training seminar “Stop the Bleed”  the first week of September at the Iroquois County EMA. This training will be open and  available to all first responders and a training certificate will be issued upon completion.  

Assistant Fire Chief Nick Peters stated the department had 3 fires, 3 first responders calls,  25 EMS calls, 2 MVA’s, 5 AFA’s, 3 auto aid calls, 3 mutual aid calls, and 7 other  miscellaneous calls for a total of 51 for the month of June. Training for June consisted of  boat operations, hose advancement, drafting, and pump operations. The department did 5  smoke detector inspections and installed 30 smoke detectors in homes. The department  also filled a couple of swimming pools.  

Nita Dubble with the Fire and Police Commission stated the commission has posted  application notices for a lateral entry list. The applications are due back 8/1, with  interviews scheduled for the end of August. There is 1 position to fill yet.  

Police Chief Eric Starkey stated his department had 379 calls for the month of June, which  is up 22 from last month. Of these calls 80 were traffic stops, and 32 were book in fees at  the jail for a total of $832.00. The new squad is in service and was in the 4th of July Parade.  The department held an active shooter training at the high school, Chief stated more of  these types of training will be done at various places in the city. A question was asked  about the status of the new tasers and the Chief stated they have been paid for and should  be arriving soon. The officers will need training once they are received. 

Alderman Muench makes a motion to adjourn at 6:38 pm and Alderman Dewitt seconded.  Roll call carried 7-0. 

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4261