MOUNT VERNON — City police, fire, and code enforcement leaders delivered a wide-ranging set of updates at Tuesday’s Mount Vernon public safety briefing, outlining call volumes, summer safety concerns and ongoing community outreach efforts.
Fire Chief Chad Christopher reports the department handled 513 calls in May, bringing the year-to-date total to 2,752.
The department recently celebrated the promotions of Nate Hines to assistant chief and Tom Calland to training coordinator/lieutenant and welcomed Nathaniel Wolf and Luke Hawbaker to the team.
Another milestone was a push-in ceremony for the department’s new medic.
The department completed its ISO grading; Christopher said it could take several months to receive the results.
“Hopefully, we had some good findings because I felt like everything went real good with it,” he said.
Upcoming community events include First Friday and the department’s annual fan drive.
Community members can drop off new fans at either fire station, 200 W. Gambier St. or 102 E. Brooklyn St. in Gambier.
“We will disperse those to The Salvation Army and Interchurch [Social Services], and then we will keep a few on station just in case on the weekend somebody calls for one as well,” the chief said.
Christopher and Hines will leave Sunday morning as part of the annual Paddle for Heroes six-day Kokosing River trip from Memorial Park to Marietta.
“We’re really looking forward to it, because I really, truly believe in that mission for the Paddle for Heroes,” Christopher said. “Their mission is to help veterans and first responders and their families heal through paddling and getting outside in nature.”
Community Risk Reduction Bureau expands impact
The Community Risk Reduction Bureau consists of Fire Marshal Terry Davis and Community Risk Reduction Inspector Ross Wynn.
“They’ve really been doing some great stuff. To date, they’ve done 190 fire and life safety inspections,” Christopher said.
Overdue maintenance on fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm systems is the primary issue the men encounter.
The duo has also:
• Participated in seven community events focused on residential fire safety.
• Installed a minimum of 26 smoke detectors working alongside of the Red Cross.
• Installed two thermal fuses and one bed-shaker for those who have hearing or seeing impairment.
• Conducted 15 public education events.
• Taught four CPR classes.
• Participated in school programs, live burn trainings and radio outreach.
Christopher said the department has collected around $4,000 in permit fees that help support the cost of the bureau. Permits are for fire alarm and sprinkler systems.
Call volume expected to rise for police department as summer gets underway
Police Chief Robert Morgan said the department handled 1,293 calls for service last month. Highlights include 47 crashes, 85 disburbances, 14 domestic violence, 36 theft cases, and about 17 mental health calls.
“We are at a roughly 7,000 calls for service for the year so far. We’re on track to have 14,000+ calls for service this year,” Morgan said. “We’re just now getting into our busy season.”
The MVPD swore in Caleb Kraft last week to fill a vacancy in the department. Kraft is a lateral transfer from the Columbus Division of Police.
The MVPD will participate in First Friday with the MVFD and other city officials.
Morgan urged residents to be be extra vigilant with school out and youngsters on bicycles or walking to Hiawatha Water Park or the splash pad.
“We’ve had some complaints at the splash pad. Kids need to keep their bikes, scooters, and electric vehicles out of the splash pad area. They’re not allowed in there,” Morgan said.
“We’ve had some people call us already and tell us that there are kids riding scooters through the middle of the water sprays, and that’s not allowed.”
Morgan said officers will patrol the area and contact parents if officers catch youths committing violations.
City addresses property upkeep and abandoned homes
City Inspector Scott Zimmerman said that rapid grass growth has generated complaints, although most residents are keeping up with their mowing.
He reminded property owners to trim weeds around foundations and fences and keep trash can lids secured, and that the city’s long-standing code requires commercial and multi-family units to have dumpster surrounds.
“There are a couple of areas where I think people are doing some dumping that we’re going to be addressing here before long,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman said he is pleased with the city’s revised vehicle storage regulations because “it lightened up some of the restrictions to help out people.”
The revised code continues the ban on parking utility trailers in front yards.
Zimmerman reported the city discovered a surprising number of abandoned or vacant homes. The city is working to identify owners and determine next steps.
“When they get abandoned, windows get knocked out, animals get in it, and it turns out to be more of a problem than it should be,” he said.
With summer projects underway, Zimmerman reminded residents that swimming pools require permits. Pools under 42 inches must be fenced or lockable.
Fences must be set 2.5 feet from a neighbor’s fence. Any resident who wants to attach a fence to their neighbor’s fence must have written permission from the neighbor.
“If you do not have a fence, you have to be able to lock it and secure your pool when you’re not using it so that no kids can get up there and get hurt,” he said.
Zimmerman reminded residents they must get city approval before planting in a tree lawn. He noted the Shade Tree and Beautification Commission can provide advice on what type of tree and help with watering.
