Rosio police report July activity, new hire, generator project and community programs

Deputy Chief and staff reported department activity for July during the Aug. 19 commission meeting, including call-and-dispatch volumes, a newly hired officer who will start Monday, ongoing projects and community outreach.

Operations and staffing: the deputy chief reported 550 calls for service and 745 incoming calls to dispatch in July; among those were 136 911 calls, 69 traffic stops and 22 reports. Officer John Ames is scheduled to begin Monday at 8 a.m.; the commission said Ames will be sworn at the next board meeting.

Projects and equipment: staff said an engineering firm is overseeing a planned generator installation and the township is using an already-bid state vendor; the next formal action will be the engineering firm's oversight contract, followed later by a purchase action for the generator. The chief said the firm is working to ensure liabilities and installation processes are met before the commission sees an action item.

Animal control and public-safety concerns: animal-control activity included 35 complaint calls, one animal returned to owner, 12 dead-animal pickups and 88 ordinance-related calls for the month. Commissioners and staff flagged a rising deer population in certain areas (including near the township airport) and said the issue will require further discussion. "The exponential formula for growth of the herd is gonna take off if we don't do something," one trustee remarked, and staff said they are monitoring complaints and locations.

Training and events: reserves logged 72 hours in July. The department ran emergency vehicle operation (EVO) training for officers and has a partnership with Riverview PD for instructors; deputies are also setting up a new taser program. The department also noted local events in July and August, including the Uncle Sam Jam and Island Fest support. A dispatcher-run book drive for elementary and middle-school students was announced; donations can be dropped at public safety and will be collected through early September.

Ending: staff said animal-control and dispatch workloads remain high and asked commissioners and the public to continue reporting concerns; no new budget votes were taken at the meeting.