MOUNT VERNON — Expanding drug enforcement is one of the goals the Mount Vernon Police Department set for 2025.
This year, the MVPD added another detective to the division and shifted a seasoned detective toward drug enforcement.
“His primary focus is working drug-related cases,” Police Chief Robert Morgan said. “He’s still on call for general cases, but his primary focus is working with our patrol division, our canines, and our law enforcement partners in the county.”
The detective will also work with the Knox County Drug Coalition and the regional METRICH Enforcement Unit.
“We’re listening to what people said,” Morgan said. “They want more enforcement, they want more of us going after the people dealing. Obviously, that’s our main goal.
“We had a very high number of drug-related cases this year that were prosecuted, and we were successful with that, but I think we can expand it more.
“One of my goals next year, and it was budgeted for this year, is to add another detective, so we would have two people in those positions. Currently we only have one, but I would like to expand that out to have another one.”
Another 2025 goal is to add a third K-9 to the department. Morgan said private donations have reached two-thirds of what is needed.
Morgan also plans to update the mobile radios in the cruisers. Last year the department bought new portable radios.
“That should set us up for the next eight to 10 years before we have to have that big expense again,” he said.
A Citizen Police Academy is in the works for this spring. The goal is for residents to learn how the police department works. It is not neighborhood watch training but involves policies and procedures, reporting requirements, and explaining what support personnel do.
“It’s more to show there’s more to the police department than a police officer driving around in a cruiser,” Morgan explained. “We do a lot of stuff that people don’t see.”
Miscellaneous
The MVPD ordered two new cruisers and a pickup truck.
Total calls for service in 2024 were 17,949. That included 4,700 incident reports, 771 arrests, 3,005 traffic/misdemeanor citations, and 225 felonies filed with common pleas court.
Morgan urged residents to slow down in inclement weather, noting the department handled a lot of minor fender-benders during this past snow event.
The awards banquet is Feb. 1 at The Woodward Opera House.
MVFD
The Mount Vernon Fire Department ended 2024 with 6,160 fire and EMS runs, comparable to 2023’s 6,200.
Three staff members are on the way to Sioux Falls, SD doing a final inspection of the new fire rescue unit the department should receive in the next few days.
A dealer will then install equipment and shelving.
Fire Chief Chad Christopher said a new medic will arrive this fall. The department will also purchase a new medic this year because it has a two-and-a-half to three-year waiting list to receive.
The MVFD is working on MARCs radio, equipment reimbursement, and training grants.
Christopher said interviews will start the week of Jan. 13 to replace an employee who left the MVFD. Christopher received 21 lateral transfer applications.
The annual awards banquet is set for Jan. 10 at The Woodward Opera House.
The department switched the first of the year to Image Trend software to obtain better information and statistics.
With the upcoming cold snap, Christopher challenged residents to “be good stewards of your neighbor,” checking on elderly neighbors and clearing their sidewalks and porches.
Referencing the Christmas Eve fire the department responded to, he cautioned residents to keep the area around wood burners clear, empty ashes in a metal can, and make sure their chimney is clean.
Other winter safety tips include:
•Plugging electric heaters directly into the wall, not extension cords, and keep items at least 3 feet away.
•Cool propane or gas heaters before fueling and refill them outside.
•Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working.
Additionally, he urged residents to back out of the garage when warming up their cars as the wind can blow fumes back into the house.
Administration
Mayor Matt Starr shared two important dates that residents want to know: Trick-or-Treat will be Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and fireworks will be on July 4.
Hamburg Fireworks’ contract does, however, allow for a back-up day in case of inclement weather.
“The price went up a little bit, but they were great and worth every penny,” Starr said. “They worked very well with our fire department, our police department, and dispatch. We’re very happy with the quality of the product and the service that we’re getting with Hamburg.”
The listening tour related to the new municipal buildings starts on Thursday at City Hall. The first three sessions will only involve the new police station.
Residents can look at conceptual renderings, make comments and suggestions, and scan a QR code that takes them to an online survey. Additionally, a notetaker will be available to write down comments.
The city used 350 tons of salt during the recent snowstorm. Labor hours totaled 136 for plowing and salting; 22 were overtime hours. Four trucks were out in each 12-hour shift; one shift had five trucks.
The Martin Luther King breakfast is Jan. 20 at Kenyon College from 9 to 11 a.m. The keynote speaker is Dr. Judy Alston speaking on “The courage to pursue justice and equality.”
