MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon’s police and fire chiefs gave their monthly briefing this week, reporting call volumes for June, a quiet Fourth of July and upcoming community events.
Events include a charity car show expected to draw thousands to Ariel-Foundation Park this weekend.
Triple F Collection will bring Event 5, the organization’s hypercar showcase, to Ariel-Foundation Park from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Event proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Organizers will take 25 children for a ride in the hyper and supercars, which include Lamborghinis, McLarens and others valued in the millions of dollars.
Police Chief Robert Morgan said organizers expect 5,000 to 6,000 attendees.
“So just give yourself extra time and be careful driving around that area,” he said.
The show previously took place in Easton, but organizers chose Ariel-Foundation Park for this year’s event. Part of the park will close for the show, but the Meadows and Lakes will remain open.
Police: E-scooters, bikes and skateboards prompt safety concerns
Morgan said complaints about scooters, skateboards and e-bicycles being ridden unsafely, including on downtown sidewalks, are increasing, mirroring a statewide trend.
“The laws we have on the books right now are not keeping up with the new products and technology that are out there now,” he said. “I think the city in the near future will have some conversations and look at what some other communities are doing. … It’s a safety issue.”
Some e-bikes can reach up to 30 mph.
Morgan reported the department responded to 1,296 calls for service in June, a slight decrease from typical monthly totals. Those calls included 64 traffic crashes, 10 domestic violence calls, 421 traffic stops, 29 warrants served, 30 civil matters, roughly 40 mental health-related calls, 26 harassment complaints, 24 thefts, and 60 reports of suspicious persons.
The chief said the Fourth of July and the city’s First Friday event went off without incident despite the summer heat.
Lydia Grimes will be the new school resource officer at St. Vincent de Paul School.
Grimes has served with the fire department for three years while being an auxiliary officer with the police department.
She will start her SRO role on July 13. Morgan said she will undergo a fast-tracked field training period with the police department.
Fire and EMS: Call volume trending upward
Samuel Jankey will join the fire department on July 17 as a full-time firefighter/medic. He fills the vacant position Grimes left to become the SRO at St. Vincent de Paul School.
Jankey was part of the student program in Gambier, and then joined Mount Vernon Fire Department part time about three years ago.
He recently completed paramedic school and has expressed interest in eventually pursuing a medical degree.
The fire department responded to 567 emergency calls in June, bringing the year-to-date total to 3,298 calls through the first half of the year. Chief Chad Christopher said if that pace continues, it would put the department above its historical average.
“We had a couple of storms that kind of influenced those calls, so we’ll see what happens here in the next six months. But we’re trending up,” he said.
The department reported no major fires or incidents over the Fourth of July holiday, though crews responded to several heat-related emergencies during the recent heat wave.
The department continues collecting box fans at its two stations on Gambier Street and in Gambier village for Interchurch Social Services to distribute. According to ISS, demand has been high.
Christopher applied for a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant. The application includes funding for a safety trailer, fire extinguisher and simulator. He plans to apply for a Firehouse Subs Public Safety grant when applications open later this month.
Upcoming training includes a live-fire exercise on July 13 at the Knox County Technical Center burn building, and water emergency training at Hiawatha Water Park later in the month.
The department will also assist with fire and EMS coverage during the Knox County Fair later this summer and the car show this weekend.
