Police vacancy topic of discussion

By Editor | December 5, 2018 |

In addition to holding a lengthy discussion on the new tax levy, Vandalia aldermen talked at length about whether the city should replace a retiring police officer.
Ultimately, the council agreed to fill that vacancy.
The council approved the retirement of Shanon Neiber, which drops the number of full-time officers to 12.
Asked by Alderman Andy Lester how that number compares to that in other towns, Police Chief Jeff Ray said the staffing is about the same as it was 30 years ago, “and crime has not gone down.”
One of the issues with not filling the vacancy, Ray said, is that the department would lose its detective position.
“I’ve got stacks (of cases) here,” Ray said, talking about how many cases could go unresolved without a detective.
The detective handles all sexual assault cases, as the state police no longer provide that assistance, he said, adding that a burglary reported one night last week was solved by noon the next day.
“He’s got cases every day,” Ray said.
Alderman Mike Hobler said the city has an option to filling the vacancy – “paying an extreme amount of overtime.”
Alderman B. John Clark said, “In the long run, it’s going to be cheaper” to hire an officer.
The council vote sends to the city’s Police and Fire Commission a request to fill the vacancy off of the current eligibility roster.
Also at Monday’s meeting:
• The council accepted the bids for five of surplus items that the city is selling.
The council accepted: Kevin Elam’s bid of $1,000 for a 2002 Dodge pickup that was seized by the police department; Elam’s $50 bid for a Stihl cutoff saw; Georgie Whipple’s $50 bid for a pole saw; Brian Tedrick’s bid of $9 for a 3-inch trash pump; and Tedrick’s bid of $3 for a 13-inch tire and rim.
The council rejected Tedrick’s bid of $181 for a 2005 Ford Escape.
• The council observed a moment of silence for: Elaine Hubler, mother of Alderman Ken Hubler; Helen Edwards, mother of Randy Edwards, who has served on various city committees; Cheryl Brazle, a former police and fire dispatcher; and Shirley Hill, the mother of city employee Jeff Hill.
• City Clerk Peggy Bowen reported that petitions for aldermanic seats on the ballot in April can be filed from Dec. 10-17.
Up for election are seats currently held by: Ward I, Hubler; Ward II, Russ Stunkel; Ward III, Joel Rebbe; and Ward IV.
Those who have picked up petitions include Joseph Crawford, for a seat in Ward I, and Bret Brosman, a former Ward I aldermen, for the Ward IV seat.