MOUNT VERNON — Police Chief Robert Morgan is asking residents to slow down now that schools are back in session.
He urged drivers to watch for children and buses and reminded residents of the 20 mph school zone during school hours.
“We have kids walking to and from school, and areas around schools are going to have some more traffic congestion,” he said.
“Officers are enforcing traffic control in the school areas specifically. Watch out for buses, take a little extra time to get to work.”
Morgan said the department responded to 1,311 calls for service in August, below the typical monthly average of 1,400.
Other August figures include 16 domestic violence calls, 35 fraud and harassment calls, 107 suspicious person or vehicle calls, about 30 thefts, 403 traffic stops and 90 arrests.
Construction on the new police department building continues despite delays caused by rain and unplanned soil stabilization work. Completion is still targeted for fall 2027.
Morgan raised concerns about e-bikes and e-scooters and said the city will continue to explore the issue.
Bicycles and e-bikes are prohibited on sidewalks in the downtown business district.
“If you are riding an e-bike on a sidewalk anywhere else within the city limits, you cannot be under electric power if you’re on a sidewalk. You have to be pedaling the bike to be on a sidewalk.”
Police Chief Robert Morgan
Morgan said the department has received numerous calls saying people on e-bikes and e-scooters are not being safe.
“We need to get some education out there, and we need folks to start being a little safer in what they’re doing,” he said.
The department also welcomed a new school resource officer, Lydia Grimes, who started work at St. Vincent de Paul School.
Taxicab service expands
Mount Vernon Inspector Scott Zimmerman said the city’s yellow checkered taxicab service has been a “smashing success” since its launch. Zimmerman approved a permit for a second driver and vehicle. The new car must still pass city inspection before hitting the road, likely sometime this week.
Zimmerman thanked residents for continuing to clean up debris from a series of spring and summer storms despite the closing of the Thayer Road compost facility.
“They’re making a lot of progress, and that’s noted and very appreciated. Because it’s a lot easier to get things done than have to come back and try to mitigate it in a manner that is not as fun as it could be,” he said.
He also reminded residents they must obtain a free permit before planting or removing anything in the tree lawn, the strip of land between the sidewalk and street.
Zimmerman said the city has encountered instances where people planted things that have grown 3 to 5 feet tall and interfered with the sight line.
Mount Vernon now has to clean up those areas.
The city’s back flow and FOG (fats, oils and grease) programs are now live on Mount Vernon’s website through OpenGov. However, the city is still resolving some technical issues.
He also asked solid waste haulers to submit tonnage and recycling reports, which Mount Vernon uses to maintain eligibility for grants and cleanup events through the Delaware, Knox, Marion, Morrow (DKMM) Solid Waste District.
Zimmerman encouraged residents who need help getting haulers to pick up their recycling, or who need help cleaning up their property, to call his office.
Fire department logs training, prepares for September events
Assistant Fire Chief Nate Hines said the department responded to 486 calls in August, also below normal. However, he noted the department has logged 4,319 runs so far this year — more than 100 ahead of last year’s pace at this point.
“So, even though August is slow, the rest of the year is not,” he said.
Hines said hydrant flushing began this week on the south side of Mount Vernon, with a full schedule posted on the city website.
The department swore in Sam Jankey as a new full-time firefighter. Jankey previously served as a part-time member.
Crews have used buildings slated for demolition in the State Route 13 realignment project to conduct hose, search-and-rescue and trench rescue training.
The department also collaborated with Columbia Gas for in-house natural gas safety training and with county athletic trainers on helmet removal procedures for football season.
Upcoming events include a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at Ariel-Foundation Park, ACLS recertification training for department members, and school reunification training with the Knox County Emergency Management Agency.
Hines noted that September is National Preparedness Month and encouraged families to develop emergency plan for emergencies such as severe storms, power outages, flooding and hazardous materials incidents.
Mayor remembers John Francis
Mayor Matt Starr extended condolences to the family of John Francis, a longtime public servant who died this week. The city recently renamed Shelmar Park as John Francis Community Park in his honor, and Starr said Francis was aware of the tribute before his death.
“ I think it brought a great deal of joy to him,” Starr said.
The city will fly flags at half-staff the day of Francis’ funeral.
“He was just a wonderful public servant, very conscientious, his own person, and he demonstrated a lot of courage,” Starr said. “We will miss him very much, and we keep the family and his close friends in our prayers.
“We are grateful that he was a wonderful, wonderful person to be able to serve the city of Mount Vernon.”
